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STATE OF LOUI«IA]\A 



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ANNUAL REPORT 



OF THE 




0art 0f lufrlir Works, 



TO THE 



Il.EC3-ISnL,-A.TTJI^E 



OP THE 



STATE OF LOUISIANA. 



JANUARY, 1861. 



BATON ilOUaE: 

J. il. TAYLOR, STATE PRINTES. 

1861. 



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REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS. 



Board op Public Works, Baton Rouge, January 19th, 1861, 
To the Son. Senate and House of Bepresentatives of the 

State of Louisiana, in General Assembly convened : 

The Board of Public Works beg leave to submit the report of the Chief 
Engineer, which will be found to contain a full statement of all operations 
for the past year. Such works as the Legislature ordered at the last 
session, and those whicli were found in progress, have progressed as rapidly 
as the means placed at the disposal of the Board would allow. 
\ Maps have been prepared of the swamp land belonging to the State, 
with a view of making surveys, upon which to predicate works for their 
reclamation. The amount appropriated by the last Legislature for surveys, 
traveling, etc., was so small that no progress could be made in such 
works. 

The Internal Improvement Department requires the early attention of 
the Legislature. Either a re-organization, or an abolition of the Depart- 
ment would seem to be necessary. 

In the Swamp Land Department the Board renews the recommendation 
of last year, to suspend the sale of swamp lands until they are improved. 

Should the Legislature determine to prosecute the work contemplated 
in act No. 35, approved 23d February, 1860, which has been favorably 
reported upon by the Chief Engineer on page 76 of his report, in reference 
to surveys in the parish of Vermillion — an act appropriating the funds 
first appropriated by act No. 138, of 1858, will be necessary. The act of 
1860 being construed by the Auditor as not authorizing him to pay moneys 
out of that appropriation. 

The Board of Public Works finds it its duty, also, to report the non-pay- 
ment of its warrant to Thos. Hunter, (contractor for improvements in pro- 
gress in Bayou Pierre River) for work accomplished. The account current 
of the Board with that particular fund showing the balance paid Mr. 
Hunter, still in Treasury to its credit, while the Auditor construes act No. 
214, of 1860, as not authorizing the payment of such balance. It is 



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therefore recommended to the Legislature to re-appropriate this balance, j 

viz : $9,000 — to the credit of said work. 

There will also be required an appropriation of five thousand two hun- 
dred and fifteen dollars and sixty -seven cents ($5,215 67), for outstanding 
warrants drawn for expenses of the Internal Improvement Service. 

And an appropriation also, for outstanding warrants, drawn for expenses 
of surveys ordered by the Legislature without appropriating the necessary 
funds. Three thousand six hundred and fourteen dollars and sixty-five 
cents ($3,614 Qb), 

All of which is respectfully submitted. 

LOUIS G. DeRUSSY, President, 

F. M. KENT, 
BRAXTON BRAGG, 

G. W. MONTGOMERY. 
By the Board. 

P. H. Thomson, Secretary. 



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ANNUAL REPORT 



OP THE 



CHIEF EISTGIi^TEER 



OF THE 




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FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1860, 



TO THE 



LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA. 



BATON ROUGE : 

J. M. TAYLOR, STATE PRINTER 

1861. 



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REPORT. 



Engineer's Office, Board of Public Works, ) 
Baton Rouge, La., December 31st, 1860. ) 

To the Board of Public Works : 

Gentlemen — In pursuance of the Board's instructions, directing me to 
make a consolidated report of the transactions of the Department for the 
current year, together with a fiscal statement exhibiting all appropriations 
and the expenditures made under them, I have the honor to respectfully 
submit the following : 

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT DEPARTMENT. 

On assuming the charge of this Department on the 2d of January, 
1860, as Chief Engineer to the Board of Public Works, the State force and 
boats were found to be distributed as follows : 

Snag-boat Amite, Capt. J.Kinner in command,with thirteen State slaves, 
on the ways and undergoing extensive repairs to her hull, at Nngent's brick 
yard on the Amite River. 

Snag-boat Algerine, Capt. A. M. Perrault in command, with two depot 
and sixteen State slaves, lying at the wharf in Baton Rouge. 

Snag-boat Atchafalaya, Capt. A. Bradley in command, with twenty-one 
State slaves, lying at the wharf in Baton Rouge, with her shaft broken. 

Snao- and Dredge-boat Randall, F. Matthews, her engineer, in command 
with one depot and ten State slaves, laid up on Bayou Lafourche oelow 
Lockport. 

Dredge-boat Harmanson, Capt. H. C. Walsh in command, with two depot 
and seven State slaves, laid up at the mouth of Old River. 

Field-party, in charge of Capt. P. V.tLandry, consisting of one depot and 
tbirteen State slaves, working on the road from Kirk's Ferry on the Tensag 
River, to the hills on Sicily Island. 

In addition to the foregoing force, there was one State slave at Baton 
Rouge, and one attached to the Avoyelles survey, besides one State and 
one depot slave turned over as runaways. 

Total, 5 boats and 90 slaves, as follows : 



4 

On What Service. State Slaves. Depot Slaves. 

Amite 13 

Algerine 16 2 

Atchafalaya 21 

Randall 10 1 

Harrpanson . 7 2 

Land force : 13 1 

In Baton Rouge 1 

Attached to Avoyelles survey 1 

Runaway in 1857 1 

Runaway in 1859 , . 1 

Total force 83 7 

On the 4th of January, the Randall and Harmanson were ordered to 
Baton Rouge for inspection and repairs. 

Condition of the Boats. — Immediately upon the arrival of the Randall 
and Harmanson, I made a personal inspection of these five boats, and 
found them to be in reality a disgrace to the State of Louisiana. The 
entire fleet consisted of old, rotten and leaky hulls, mounted generally 
with worn-out and broken down engines and machinery, and furnished 
with old tackle and appliances miserably adapted to the purposes of snag- 
ging and dredging. 

These boats had been constructed for the most part, from the odds and 
ends of machinery which had accumulated upon the hands of the Depart- 
ment, or which had been taken from the wrecks of old boats that had been 
worn out and gone down in the service. The necessity of using such ma- 
terial, was forced upon the several State Engineers, by the parsimony of 
the appropriations made for the service of the Internal Improvement De- 
partment. True economy would have rejected the use of such material, 
and dictated the introduction of new and improved machinery in the con- 
struction of every new boat. 

All of the boats stood in need of extensive repairs to their hulls and 
machinery, before they were fit for active operations. The Atchafalaya 
and Amite were not worth the cost of repairing them, and the Harmanson 
was past all repair. The machinery and engines of the Randall were very 
good, but her hull had been badly constructed of green timber and was 
rotten and leaky. Besides this boat was unsuitable in every respect to 
serve the double capacity of a snag and dredge-boat at the same time, and 
her hull was considerably hogged in the centre by the double strain of the 
gnagging crane upon her bows, and the dredging crane upon her stern. 
In consequence her dredging machinery was removed, and she was simply 
converted into a snag-boat. 

DISPOSITION MADE OF THE BOATS AND FORCE. 

Harmanson, — A Board of Survey was ordered upon the dredge-boat 
Harmanson, and she was condemne(^ in tpto, ou account of the wr^t^he^ 



5 

condition of her hull and machinery generally, and recommended to be 
sold. Accordingly, under instructions from the Board, she was sold at 
public auction on the 1st of February, after due advertisement ; the pro- 
ceeds of the sale being deposited in Bank to the credit of the Board. 

AlgeriTW and Atchafalaya. — On the completion of their repairs, the Alge- 
rine, in command of Capt. J. D.Rainey, with three depot and eighteen State 
slaves, and the Atchafalaya, in command of Capt. A. Bradley, with one depot 
and twenty-one State slaves, were ordered on the 29th of January to repair 
to Bayou Sorrel, with instructions to co-operate in the removal of the rafts 
which had accumulated in that stream. Twelve miles of continuous raft 
was removed from this bayou. These boats then proceeded to remove tne 
rafts in Lake Chicot from its head down to the mouths of the Bayous 
Pigeon, and to break and pass out the raft from these bayous as far up as 
their junction with Grand River. 

Before the navigation of these bayous will be really good, a number of 
snags, sunken logs and side raft must still be removed from their channels. 
All of the streams, in the whole of this section of the State, are more or 
less choked up with rafts to the detriment of navigation and the inunda- 
tion of the surrounding country. In fact, Grand Lake, Lake Chicot, the 
Pigeons, the Tensas, Bayou Sorrel, Sorrel Bay and Grand River, have 
been the recipients for ages of their own and the Mississippi drift. Not 
only has this section of the country been glutted by the large quantities 
annually coming in from Bayou Piaquemiue, but also by the accumulations 
which formerly came in from the Mississippi through the Atchafalaya 
River. For some considerable period after the original meeting of the Red 
and Mississippi Rivers, the Atchcxfaiaya necessarily became the receptacle 
of a large portion of the Mississippi drift, from its manner of leaving the 
latter in the sharp loop of Old River, and this state of affairs continued 
until the final and complete rafting of the Atchafalaya itself, from Ber- 
wick's Bay to its head in Old River. 

After opening the Pigeons, the operations of these two boats were made 
separate. The Atchafalaya worked in Lower Grand River and in Bayou 
Go-to-hell, in order to complete the circuit of navigation from Belle River 
through the Pigeons, etc.j to Grand Lake. She then proceeded to Bayou 
des Glaises and removed the overhanging trees and rafts from this bayou 
up to its junction with the Alabama; she also removed the obstructions 
from this latter bayou. Subsequently she worked upon Bayou Cour- 
tableau, deadening the trees, upon its banks, and removing the leaning 
ones which impeded navigation, very nearly as high up as Washington, 
when the boat was ordered to Baton Rouge, where she arrived on the 29th 
of May. There was great difficulty at times to keep the boat afloat. 

The Algerine continued to work in Lake Chicot, and in passing the raft 
out into Grand Lake. She also worked on Lower Grand J^iver, and in 



finishing the work in Bayou Sorrel and Sorrel Bay, removing the rafts, 
fallen timber and overhanging trees'thercfrom, until her recall to Baton 
Rouge about the last of May. 

Randall. — On the completion of her repairs, February 27th, the Kandall, 
in command of Capt. J. T. Hanlon, with two depot and fifteen State slaves, 
was dispatched to Bayou Mason. Unfortunately she broke her wheel-shaft 
when twelve miles up Red River, so that the boat was compelled to return 
to Baton Rouge for repairs. Here is an illustration of the weak character 
of the machinery of all of these boats and their constant liability to 
breakage. Designed for heavy strains in their everyday operations of 
snagging and dredging, their light cast iron shafts, as in this instance, are 
apt to break, even in ordinary locomotion in smooth water. After repair- 
ing damages, the Randall again started for Bayou Mason, and commenced 
operations in that stream on the 7th of April. The rafts, snags and fallen 
timber were removed from this bayou for a distance of ninety-five miles 
above its junction with the Tensas, to which river the boat was then 
obliged to return, owing to the rapid falling of the waters in the Mason. 
A portion of her crew was detached to assist P. Y. Landry in completing 
the Kirk's Ferry road, after which the boat returned to Baton Rouge, 
bringing with her this land force and its equipments. 

Amite. — Although an increased force was placed upon the Amite, the 
absolute repairs required upon her were not completed until the 10th of 
April. She was then directed to work in the Amite River and Bayou 
Manchac, in command of Capt. H. C. Walsh, with a crew of thirteen State 
slaves. All of the snags and sunken logs obstructing the navigation of 
the Amite, from Nugent's brick yard, where she had undergone her repairs, 
as far down as obstructions were found in this river, were removed. Some 
of the most dangerous snags and sunken logs, were also removed from 
Bayou Manchac. Owing to the sale of the slaves, this boat was laid up 
in the Amite River on the 29th of May, and her crew were brought into 
Baton Rouge. An agent was placed on board, to protect the public prop- 
erty, and keep the boalt afloat. 

Land Force.— ThQ force upon the Kirk's Ferry Road was continued in 
charge of Capt. P. V. Landry, as it was found organized, consisting of one de- 
pot and thirteen State slaves. By the assistance eventually received by this 
force from the Randall's crew, it was enabled to complete this road from 
Kirk's Ferry on the Tensas River, to the hills on Sicily Island, with all the 
necessary bridges and culverts. This road is about six miles long, with 
ditches on each sipe of it throughout, leaving a road-way twenty-two feet 
wide, upon which the earth excavated from the ditches was thrown. About 
six hundred feet of the road was charcoaled. It is impossible to make 
anything of this but a good summer road, as it is subject to overflow from 
the high waters of the Tensas. 



7 

This closes the operations of the Internal Improvement Departmeni up 
to the 29th of May, when they necessarily ceased in consequence of the 
sale of the slaves. Its effective services were greatly reduced and neces- 
sarily limited. First, on account of the length of time required to repair 
the boats before they could be put in working order ; and secondly, on ac- 
count ot the short period intervening thereafter, prior to the sale of the 
State slaves, agreeably to the provisions of act No. 235, of I860. Be- 
sides, the prospect of this sale demoralized the slaves to a considerable 
extent, and many of them ran away in conseqiience. They were all re- 
turned, however, before the day of sale. 

Sale of the Slaves. — At the request of His Excellency, Gov. Thos. 0. 
Moore, all of the State slaves were dispatched upon the State boat Randall, 
on the evening of the 29th of May, to be sold at New Orleans in accor- 
dance with the provisions of the foregoing act, excepting eight, which were 
selected as a reserve force for the service, as provided for in the said act. 

The services of all the captains were dispensed with at the same time, 
excepting those"V)f Capt. J. D. Rainey, who was retained. 

The following is the number of slaves turned over to the Auctioneer, 
for which receipts were obtained : 

State slaves on hand at sale 73 

Absent, and sold as runaway 1 

Number reserved for State service 8 

Died during the year 1 

Total -. 83 

Which agrees with the number received from L. Hebert, State Engineer. 
There were five other State slaves sold, who had been turned over to the 
Deaf and Dumb Asylum, agreeably to the provisions of act No. 181, of 
1857. 

DISPOSITION OF BOATS AND RESERVED FORCE. 

On the return of the Randall to Baton Rouge, this boat and the Atchafa- 
laya were laid up at the wharf in this place, as the Amite had been on the 
Amite River, and an agent was appointed in charge of each to keep them 
pumped out, and guard the public property on board. 

The Algerine was kept in commission. On the 1st of June, therefore, 
the State force consisted of eight State and seven depot slaves, one boat in 
commission and three floating idly at their moorings for want of force to 
man them. These useless boats should all have been sold at the same 
time with the negroes ; as three of the small force available, had to be 
kept on board of the Randall and Atchafalaya to pump them out. 

Algerine.— On the 1st of July, the Algerine, Capt. J. T. Hanlon in com- 
mand, with seven State and five depot slaves, was sent to Old River with 
instructions to take certain soundings and measurements, preparatary to a 



8 

survey of that ri?er with a view of improving its low-watei* navigatioii. 
This boat was used upon this survey, and subsequently in an examination 
of the Atchafalaya, Courtableau, Plaquemine, Lower Grand River, the 
Sorrel, the Tensas, the Pigeons, Lake Chicot and Grand Lake. She was 
then sent around by sea to operate in Bayous Barataria, Yilars and Signet, 
and to assist in the survey of the country lying between Bayou Lafourche 
and the Mississippi River. Although the crew of this boat was too small 
to snag sulficiently, she nevertheless succeeded in removing all of the ob- 
structions to navigation from these three bayous. She was also used for a 
abort time upon the survey mentioned. 

Mouth of Old Kiver, — Agreeably to the instructions of the Board, the 
Algerine was then sent to the mouth of Old River, to deepen the water 
over the bar if possible. This was attempted by using a harrow and at- 
tached scraper. The harrow alone, proved a failure in attempting to 
deepen the bars at the Passes of the Mississippi ; but it was found to 
operate successfully there, when a scraper was attached to the rear of the 
harrow, and made to project about three inches below the teeth. Accor- 
dingly a scraper was attached to the harrow which had formerly been used 
upon the mouth of Old River, and a channel of the required width was 
marked out with spar buoys. 

By using the snagging crane of the Algerine to lift and lower the har_ 
row, and by working constantly in one direction through the marked chan- 
nel, backing the boat in the operation in order to save the cost of an extra 
crane upon the stern of the boat, a partial success was obtained in deepen- 
ing the bar. 

The operation was materially assisted in this particular instance, by a 
rapid rise in both the Red and Mississippi Rivers. While the harrowing 
process was continued, the total depth gained upon the bar was three feet 
and six inches ; of which, two feet three inches was due to the rise of the 
water, and only one foot and three inches to the harrow deepening the bot- 
tom. The Mississippi then commenced to rise rapidly, until it attained a 
total rise of six feet one inch, with an increased current setting in towards 
the mouth of the Red River. The total rise of the water in Old River was, at 
the same time, four feet and seven inches, while the soundings over the 
bar were seven feet and six inches. 

I am perfectly satisfied in my own mind, that no process of dredging 
will ever prove efficacious in deepening the Old River bar, for any practi- 
cable purpose of navigation, during low stages of water, when alone it is 
required. My convictions are based upon the two following facts : First, 
during low stages of water the current of the Mississippi invariably sets in 
towards the mouth of Red River ; and secondly, the bar is composed of 
such light and shifting material, that it sometimes drifts directly across the 
the mouth of Old River, while at other times it forms the obstruction to 



i 

navigation at some considerable distance out in the channel of the Missis- 
sippi. It is evident that the direction of the current would defeat all chance 
of success in the use of the harrow and scraper, as this process of dredging is 
entirely dependent upon the current of the channel, together with that 
generated by its own motion ; and in consequence we would be compelled 
to draw the material composing the bar into the mouth of Old River, in- 
stead of out into the Mississippi. This latter can only be done when the 
current of Old River sets into the Mississippi, and this is never the case in 
low water. It is equally evident, that the shifting character of the bar 
would prevent all success in the use of the ordinary spoon or bucket dredge, 
as the drifting material composing the bar would constantly fill the exca- 
vation as often as it was made. 

Floating Boom. — Agreeably to the authority given me by the Board, the 
Algerine was next sent to the head of Bayou Plaquemine, to construct a 
floating boom to prevent the flow of drift down that stream. The total 
length of the boom is four hundred and thirty-two feet. It is constructed 
in sections of twenty feet long, each section being composed of nine pieces 
12 by 12 inch light pine timber, thoroughly bolted together, and connected 
with anchor chains as shown by the drawings on file in the office. The 
boom reaches from the bank of the Mississippi nearly across the head of the 
Plaquemine, in the direction of the river currents, and is securely held in 
position by a series of ship anchors. The boat was also ordered to remain 
at the head of the Plaquemine, and to use her crew in assisting the boom 
to pass all the floating drift timber down the channel of the Mississippi. 

I am satisfied that the arrangements made will prove eminently success- 
ful, and that this simple work, at an inconsiderable cost, will save thousands 
of dollars to the State in the subsequent removal of this drift, besides keep- 
ing open the navigation of the bayou, and preventing the serious inunda- 
tion of the country below, occasioned annually by its accumulation in the 
outlets of Grand and Atchafalaya Rivers. 

Atchafalaya and Randall. — During the violent storm on the 2d of Octo- 
ber, the Atchafalaya sank at her moorings at the bank in Baton Rouge, 
and in accordunce with the Board's instructions, she was sold at public auc- 
tion, after due advertisement, the proceeds of which sale were deposited in 
Bank, to the credit of the Board of Public Works. 

The temporary use of the Randall was given to the Grosse Tete Railroad 
Company, to assist in getting off their boat from the shore opposite this 
place, where she had been driven in the storm before referred to. This 
boat also sank at the bank where she was moored, on the morning of the 
16th of October, while in the act of getting up steam to operate for the day. 
In fact, none of these boats were ever fit for the service required of them 
by the State. They are in constant need of repairs, and there is a contin- 
ual breakage whenever they are used. The engines, boiler? and shafts of 

2@ E 



10 

tKe Randall, and such other portions of her machinery as could be saved, 
were recovered from the wreck and properly stored. 

GENERAL REMARKS. 

There is perhaps no Department of the State Government which has ac- 
complished so much, with such insufficient means, as the Internal Improve- 
ment Department, when the extent and variety of its operations are can- 
didly taken into consideration, together with the fact that it has been 
crippled more or less by inadequate appropriations, and rendered inefficient 
by unsuitable and weak machinery and force, ever since its inauguration 
under the old Board of Public Works in 1833, The appropriations have 
rarely equaled the amounts estimated for the current expenses of the year, 
and estimates for the construction of new boats to be equipped with pro- 
per machinery, have generally been disregarded. 

To be rendered effective, this Department should be amply supplied with 
substantial boats furnished with modern improvements in machinery, instead 
of being forced to continue the use of the elBfete productions of a past age. 
The number of hands should also be proportioned to the amount of work 
required. 

The principal duty of this Department has heretofore been, to free the 
navigable streams of the State of all the natural obstructions which impede 
their navigation, and thus furnish easy water communication, to the trade, 
eommerce and travel of every section of the State. No territory in the 
world is better traversed with navigable water-courses in all directions, pro- 
viding so many natural facilities for internal intercourse, than the State of 
Louisiana. Besides, the greater part of the productive wealth of the State 
is located directly upon the rich banks of these streams. Many of these 
water-courses, however, are still in a state of nature. Beds of sunken logs 
buried in the sand at the bottom, are among the worst of the obstructions, 
and here the channel becomes almost impassable in low water. Fallen 
timber, snags, rafts and overhanging trees, are the other common obstruc- 
tions to their successful navigation. 

Now, it certainly seems reasonable to suppose, that this extensive net- 
work of rivers and bayous, with such assistance as a v>^ell-organized Depart- 
ment could give them, would afford better and greater natural facilities for 
internal intercourse, than any artificial method which could be devised. 
And yet, if the State force is not soon recruited and provided with proper 
boats and tools to work with, many of these streams will become choked 
up completely with fallen timber and drift, destroying their navigation en- 
tirely, and making their sections dependent upon land transportation, or 
upon the^future construction of railroads, for their supplies and the convey- 
ance of their products to market. Railroads can only run upon certain 
favorable lines, still leaving large portions of the country on both sides of 



11 

these lines, dependent upon other means of transportation. Although in- 
valuable in themselves, and enriching the country through which they pass 
by enhancing the value of lands and property, still railroads can never 
compete with the natural water communicationa of the State, in the eco- 
nomical transportation of the supplies and the heavy agricultural products 
of the country. 

Louisiana is eminently an Agricultural State. She will never be distin- 
guished as a manufacturing country to any great degree. The main source 
of her present and future prosperity, is almost entirely dependent upon the 
great productive wealth of her rich alluvial lands. These lands are loca- 
ted, for the most part, directly upon her innumerable rivers and bayous. 
Owing to their natural condition, however, these streams generally are not 
navigable ; so that the great and absolute necessity of the agricultural dis- 
tricts, is a cheap and easy conveyance of the natural products of the coun- 
try to the best market. It would seem, therefore, that a sound legislative 
policy would certainly dictate the immediate improvement of our natural 
streams, in order to facilitate this internal intercourse in every direction, 
and provide the necessary water transportation. 

Nearly all of the other States have been more or less taxed for the pur- 
poses of Internal Improvement. Heretofore, Louisiana has only avoided 
such taxation, because she possessed a fund arising from the sales of cer- 
tain lands, which sufficed for her early requirements. Because this fund 
is now exhausted, or nearly so, it does not follow that the internal improve- 
ments of the State are to be abandoned for the reason that taxation is odi- 
ous. The growing necessity for economical transportation to an agricul- 
tural population, which is constantly increasing, will eventually force us to 
resort to taxation to procure means for the purpose. Then why not levy 
a small one at once, when it is so evident that much will be gained by 
early operations? 

There is no hesitation in taxing the State, and in making large appro- 
priations to assist in building railroads, at an average cost, when fully 
equipped, of about twenty-four thousand dollars per mile. A tithe of the 
tax so levied for railroads, would thoroughly open out all of our navigable 
water-courses, which would prove a desideratum of vastly more benefit to 
the general interests of the State, than all the railroads that will ever be 
constructed within her limits. This is not oftered as an argument against 
railroads joer se^ but because these public works are fostered to the preju- 
dice and complete sacrifice of a more important interest. 

In connection, furthermore, it must not be forgotten that the streams of 
the State constitute its natural drainage ; and that the removal of all 
obstructions from their channels, goes hand in hand with the reclamation 
of the adjacent country. To reclaim thoroughly, we must begin at the 
outlets and work upwards, and not by partial and isolated works in thQ 



12 

middle, or at the end of our general plan. Every raft dislodged and re- 
mored, increases the vent for the more rapid passage of the floods. Hence 
the drainage is facilitated, and the water is prevented from backing up as 
a consequence of the accumulation of raft. This, of course, reduces the di- 
mensions of the levees required in the neighborhood of the streams. 

The lake formation along the courses of many of the streams of the State, 
had its origin in no other cause than the formation of rafts in the chan- 
nel, which dammed the water, and hence backed it over the surrounding 
country. On the removal of such rafts, the lakes are drained and the 
water is discharged naturally within the channel of the stream. Now, the 
chief functions of the Internal Improvement Department, consist almost 
entirely in the complete removal of all such obstructions, without which, 
all ordinary methods of reclamation and drainage will prove futile. We 
may, therefore, briefly sum up the benefits to be derived by the State from 
such a Department, properly organized and efficiently administered, to be 
as follows : 

1st — Open communications in every direction, and economical transpor- 
tation to the commerce and natural products of the country, through all 
of the navigable rivers and bayous of the State. 

2d — The reclamation of the swamp and overflowed lands of the State, 
by opening the main drainage arteries and their natural outlets, thus facil- 
itating the sub-drainage and reducing the bight of the levees. 

THE CONTRACT SYSTEM. 

It has been, and is still urged, that by letting the work out by contract, 
obstructions can be removed more economically and efficiently from all of 
the streams of the State, than by means of State boats and force in con- 
stant employ, as has been adopted hitherto. Let us examine and see if 
this is really the case. 

In the first place, how are the estimates to be made of a rafted stream, 
on which to base contracts, so that the State will not be imposed upon on 
the one hand, and so that the contractor will not be obliged to abandon 
his work from personal loss, on the other ? Can such an estimate be made 
of the Plaquemine, or the Sorrel for instance, when they become rafted ? 
Or how could the compensation for extra work be adjusted fairly, when the 
drift is coming down as fast as it is removed, and when, nevertheless, the 
necessities of the case require the contractor to keep working on ? It fre- 
quently happens, even in ordinary cases, that when one snag is removed, 
others spring up to replace it, and these again are followed by the upris- 
ing of sunken timber, the existence of which was not before suspected. It 
is plain, therefore, that it is utterly impossible to make an equitable con- 
tract, that will be just at the same time to both the State and to the con- 
tractors. 

Contractors, as a class, invariably shirk their work and slide over 



13 

difficulties when they find that their contract does not pv^ove remunerative. 
A State force can be influenced by no such motive, and can have no pos- 
sible object in not thoroughly performing their v^ork. Besides, under what 
were considered just contracts, as much as $2,500 per mile was paid by the 
late Board of Swamp Land Commissioners, for removing the obstructions 
from certain streams. Now, Bayou Sorrel was cleaned of twelve miles 
of continuous raft, the greater portion of which was passed out into Lake 
Chicot, and thence into Grand Lake. It is fair to suppose that this work, 
if let out by contract, was worth per mile the compensation before men- 
tioned. Under the contract system, therefore, the cleaning out of twelve 
miles of Bayou Sorrel, would have cost the State $30,000, a sum exceed- 
ing the amount appropriated to defray the current expenses of the whole 
Internal Improvement Department for an entire year. Now this Depart- 
ment, even for the few months it operated under the Board, performed 
more than four times the amount of work done on the Sorrel ; which, if 
remunerated at the same prices, would amount to a sum that would con- 
tribute largely towards reorganizing the service and placing it upon a pro- 
per footing. 

Comparative Cost of White and Slave Labor. — It is furthermore urged, 
that with the boats and appliances belonging to the State in both eases, 
white hired labor is more economical, than that of a negro force belonging 
to the State. To begin with, this is certainly a singular argument to be 
urged in a slave State. But, nevertheless, let us examine the relative cost 
of these tM o systems. 

Everything being purchased, and nothing raised, the annual cost of each 
negro in the State service, exceeds that of an ordinary plantation hand. 
Allowing this yearly expense even to be greater than what it has been de- 
termined to be, by the experience of the late State Engineer's Department, 
besides eight per cent, interest on the capital stock, together with four per 
cent, on same for annual loss, we will have as the cost of one hundred ne- 
groes, per year, as follows : 

Value of 100 negroes at$l,400 each $140,000 00 

Interest on same per year at 8 per cent $ 11,200 00 

Loss on stock for one year at 4 per cent 5,600 00 

Provisions and clothing at $100 per head 10,000 00 

Total annual expense of 100 negroes $ 26,800 00 

Placing the rate of white labor at $35 per month, including 
board, which is a very moderate estimate, and we have the 

total annual cost of 100 white men $ 42,000 00 

Expense of 100 negroes as above 26,800 00 

Difference in favor of slave labor per year 16,200 00 

Even admitting that the white laborer can perform as much hard service 
in this climate as the negro, still he is more difficult to control, and is apt to 



14 

demand higher Wages, or leave you, at the very times that you most require 
his services. This same argument was offered in favor of the slave system 
by Ot. W. Morse, State Engineer, in his Annual Report of 1855. The 
comparison, in point of economy between the two, is certainly not in favor 
of the system of white hired labor over that of the negro labor late in use. 

It is idle, however, to attempt to reorganize this Department unless it is 
done thoroughly. As necessity compelled it to be administered before the 
State slaves were sold to pay its outstanding debts, the Internal Improve- 
ment Department was forced to trifle away the small sums annually 
appropriated in making certain streams passable for the time, when a larger 
appropriation and a more effective force would have made the improvement 
permanent. Furthermore, the work cut out for it by each successive 
Legislature was wholly disproportioned to its ability. Because it could not 
perform impossibilities, complaints arose against it from different quarters, 
and the Department fell into disrepute. The fault lies in the inadequacy of 
the means placed at its disposal, not in the system itself. 
In truth, but little encouragement has hitherto been given to the State 
Engineers to induce them to make of this Department the vigorous and 
ef&cient service it should have been. The position of State Engineer has 
always been a thankless office, wherein zeal has been paralyzed, professional 
skill frustrated, and wherein no amount of scientific ability or personal am- 
bition has been able to secure a reputation. 

The appropriations even for the current annual expenses of this Depart- 
ment have generally been made so sparingly as not to suffice for its common 
maintenance. Debts were contracted in consequence, which had to be 
liquidated out of the next subsequent appropriation, the service being car- 
ried on for the balance of the year upon the personal credit of the Engineer. 
In consequence of these facts I found, upon taking charge under the 
Board, that the honor and credit of the State had fallen to that degree that 
many of its former creditors would not deal with the Department unless 
payments were made in cash. To meet these it became necessary to borrow 
money, as there was not sufficient in the Treasury to meet the wants of the 
service, and no adequate provision therefor had been made by the Legisla- 
ture. In consequence, the credit system has continued to prevail, as 
heretofore, throughout the current year, the advance which was made to the 
Board remaining still unpaid. 

One of two things is evident — either to reorganize the Internal Improve- 
ment Department thoroughly, and place it upon a respectable financial 
footing, or otherwise to liquidate its debts and then abolish the whole system 
altogether. 

REORGANIZATION. 

The best interests of the State demand a complete and immediate reorgan- 
ization of this Department. It is folly to continue the old system through 



16 

another year. To open the new year without credit and in arrearages for 
old debts, with two old boats totally unfit for the service in every particular, 
and which would only prove a source of constant expense, is a state of 
afiFairs which certainly does not give much earnest of future usefulness or 
efficiency. Trusting, however, that the subject may meet with the attention 
which its importance demands, I would respectfully recommend that the 
Internal Improvement Department be reorganized upon the following basis, 
and that the Board strenuously urge upon the Legislature of the State the 
pressing necessity of providing the means required to carry the same into 
execution : 

There are now eight slaves in the service, and this force should be in- 
creased to one hundred by the purchase of ninety-two more hands. The 
law requiring all runaway negroes lodged in the several parish jails to be 
subsequently sent to the State Depot at Baton Rouge, agreeably to certain 
of its provisions, should also be duly enforced, as the State force would be 
largely increased by a proper execution of this law. Several instances have 
occurred under my own observation wherein the law was not complied with, 
and by which non-compliance the State has lost the services of these negroes 
as custodian of the same for their masters unknown. 

Three substantial snag-boats, with improved tackle and machinery, are abso- 
lutely required — one for service in the Florida parishes, and two for the rest 
of the State. One good dredge boat to remove and deepen bars, and which 
can also be used in cutting canals throughout the State. One dispatch and 
survey boat. 

The cost of reorganizing upon this basis, and the consequent appropria- 
tion required for the maintenance of this force for the next fiscal year, and 
for the current expenses of the Department, is as follows : 

ESTIMATE OF NEGROES AND BOATS REQUIRED. 

Ninety-two slaves at $1,500 each , $ 138,000 

Three snag-boats, each one hundred and thirty feet long, with im- 
proved snagging crane, drums on shafts, steam stoppers and 
capstans, together with engine, doctor and machinery com- 
plete, each at$15,000 45,000 

One dredge boat seventy-five feet long, thirty feet beam, and five 
feet deep, without motive power, and with engines, boilers, 
dredging crane and machinery complete 16,500 

Dispatch and survey boat one hundred feet long, and with twenty 
feet beam, not to draw more than thirty inches of water, 
suitable for river or bay transportation, and fitted with cabin, 
etc., complete 9,000 

Total appropriation required for purchases $208,500 



16 

J^sttmate of Current Expenses for the Year Ending December 31s^, 1861, 

Upon the Above Basis, 

Hardware, rope, chains, tackle, tools, etc $ 6,000 

"Wood (to save cost of time in cuttingsame) 3,000 

Medicines and medical attendance, clothing and provisions for 100 

negroes, with supplies for Captains of boats 10,000 

Contingencies for special works, etc 3,000 

Total appropriation for current expenses $ 21,000 

RECAPITULATION. 

Total required for purchases $ 208,500 

Total required for current expenses 21,000 

Aggregate appropriation required for thorough reorganization $ 229,500 

If it is deemed advisable, a portion of the negroes only might be pur- 
chased during the first year, when two snag-boats and the dispatch boat 
alone would suffice for the reduced service. The complement of negroes, 
and the other boats recommended, could be added to the Department in the 
next following year. 

If a reorganization upon this basis is not adopted, I would earnestly 
recommend an entire abolition of the whole system of Internal Improve- 
ments as heretofore conducted. In view of such a course, I would further- 
more recommend that the present State force of eight negroes be retained 
as a labor corps, to assist in the various surveys ordered by the Legislature 
in the different sections of the State. 

It is also highly important, as a question of economy as well as to secure 
dispatch and efficiency, that the survey boat heretofore recommended in this 
report should be constructed for the reduced service, for the transportation 
of parties to the field and for river surveys. A portion of the slave force 
could act as her crew. Such a boat will more than pay for herself in two 
years. 

In view of the adoption of this recommendation, the following estimate 
is submitted : 

Cost of dispatch and survey boat complete $ 9,000 00 

Provisions, clothing, medical attendance, etc 1,500 00 

Wood 500 00 

Hardware, rope, tools, etc 300 00 

Contingencies 700 00 

Total appropriation required $ 12,000 00 

STATEMENT OF FUNDS. 

Turned over by L. Hebert, State Engineer, from sales of old iron..$ 100 00 

Sale of dredge boat Harmanson 1,994 25 

Advanced by F. Huguet for service of Department 5,414 58 

Sale of snag-boat Atchafalaya 125 00 

Total deposited ia Bank to credit of Board of Public Works $ 7,633 83 



IT 

In Treasury, January 1st, 1860 $ 1,568 80 

Appropriated by act No. 245, of 1860 22,500 00 

Total $24,068 30 

Expended and warrants drawn upon Treasurer for same $ 21,632 00 



Balance in Treasury $ 2,436 30 



IMPROVEMENT OF THE LOW-WATER NAVIGATION OF OLD RIVER. 

In pursuance of instructions from the Board of Public Works, I exam- 
ined and made the necessary surveys of Old River, the mouth of the Red, 
and the head, or source of the Atchafalaya Riv^ers, together with such 
parts of those streams and their tributaries and of the adjacent country, as 
I considered involved in any way, in properly complying with the require- 
ments of the following acts of 1859 and 1860, to-wit : 

First. Act No. 262, of 1859, appropriates thirty-five thousand dollars 
" For the purpose of preserving the navigation of the Old River, between 
the mouth of the Red River and the Mississippi, and also to make such 
examinations and surveys as may be required to establish the works neces- 
sary to prevent a separation of the Red and Mississippi Rivers." 

Second. Joint Resolution No. 29, of 1860, " Requires the Board of 
Public Works to examine and report to the Legislature as early as prac- 
ticable, as to the utility and practicability, and the cost of constructing a 
levee or dam across Old River, through which Red River communicates 
with the Atchafalaya River, and to report upon the effects of this work 
upon the Mississippi River." 

Third. Joint Resolution No. 30, of 1860, " Requires the Board to 
examine and report to the Legislature as early as practicable, as to the 
practicability and probable cost of partially closing the mouth of the At- 
chafalaya River on the Old River, so as to reduce the present width of the 
Atchafalaya to the width of sixty feet, or so much as is necessary not to 
obstruct navigation, and to report upon the effects that such dam will 
have upon the Mississippi River." 

These acts are similar in their import, but differ materially in their 
extent and consequences. 

The first proposes to effect a permanent improvement of the navigation 
of Old River, and thus continuously to keep open, through its channel, the 
communication of the Red River with the Mississippi. 

The second, literally calls for the effects likely to be produced upon the 
Mississippi only, by the experiment of throwing a dam across Old River 
below the mouth of Red River. 

3 ci: 



18 

And the third, proposes in a like manner, to determine the probable 
effects produced upon the Mississippi, by a partial closing of the head of 
the Atchafalaya. 

The first act indicates plainly an important object ; whereas the second 
and third, only invite speculation and theory, which will -prove as little 
beneficial to the legislator, as to the Engineer. 

It is obvious, however, that the main object of this and of previous 
legislation, has been, to solve the difiicult problem of keeping permanently 
open the low-water navigation through Old River, as a common communi- 
cation for both the Red and the Atchafalaya Rivers with the Mississippi. 
This is one of the most important problems, perhaps, which can be pre- 
sented to the people of Louisiana; as it not only embraces the question of 
low-water navigation under discussion, but its successful solution, which 
can be accomplished in but one way alone, is also the key to a perfect 
system of reclamation and drainage for a large part of the State. Its 
physical difficulties, however, are of the highest order, and its solution in- 
volves 60 many elements, that a brief history of the causes and effects 
leading to the present embarrassed condition of things, is absolutely re- 
quired in order to a clear understanding of the subject in hand. 

ORIGIN AND CAUSES OF THE DETERIORATION OF THE NAVIGATION OF OLD RIVER. 

I am unwilling to admit a mere speculation in this report, but in as far 
as the question of original unity between the Red and the Atchafalaya 
Rivers is concerned, this is unavoidable. History and tradition, at their 
remotest dates, found the same indirect separation of these rivers as there 
is at present ; for, no direct evidence of a more perfect connection between 
them has ever come down to our times. Hence our deductions regarding 
this former unity, can now only be based upon a careful inspection of the 
present geography and geology of the valleys of the two rivers in question. 
A close examination and comparison of the physical aspects and the geo- 
logical formations of these valleys, leads one inevitably to the conclusion, 
that there was a former time when the Red and Atchafalaya Rivers 
were one and the same stream, which had no connection with the Missis- 
sippi whatever, except through lateral overflows in extreme floods. It is 
not presumed by this, that there were not other outlets to Red Rivor be- 
sides the Atchafalaya, during the outward progress of the whole front of 
its delta. The T^che, in all probability, was such an outlet up to a very 
recent period comparatively. But upon due investigation of the subject, 
however, the conviction will force itslf upon every one, that, as the land 
extended outward, the Atchafalaya became the final and only remaining 
one of these outlets. 

I am aware that this former unity between the Red and the Atchafalaya 
Rivers has been questioned by several able and scientific writers. The 
problem of low-water navigation, which remains to be solved, however, 



I 



1 



19 

depends upon the present existence of things, and not upon the changes 
of the past ; and, therefore, it is immaterial whether this premise be ad- 
mitted or not, as it will be fully proven hereafter that these two rivers form 
one and the same stream now, which will be sufficient for our argument. 
The Red and the Mississippi Rivers then occupied separate valleys, running 
generally parallel with each other, but with no immediate connection be- 
tween them. The latter sought the Gulf at the Balize through its own 
independent channel, while the former reached the sea through the Atchafa- 
laya and Berwick's Bay. 

The general tendency of alluvial streams is ever to lengthen their 
courses and reduce their slopes. As a consequence of the tortuous mean- 
derings resulting from this consideration, the Red and Mississippi Rivers 
came together and mingled their waters. In thus coming together, how- 
ever, it must be borne steadily in mind, that the former was completely 
cut into two parts ; and that the bend or loop of the Mississippi, now 
called Old River, separated these parts by a distance of about three miles, 
and thus maintained an indirect communication only between ihem. For 
easy nomenclature we will designate these parts by the names by which 
they are now known ; that is, we will call the upper one Red River, and 
the lower the Atchafalaya. 

The annexed diagram, (Fig. I.) illustrates the probable position of the 
Red and Mississippi Rivers, a short time previous to their meeting ; 
and (Fig. 11.) their absolute condition subsequent to the making of 
Shreve's and the Raccourci Cut-offs. 

EFFECTS OF THE MEETING. 

The natural effects which would be produced by the meeting of the 
waters of the Red and Mississippi Rivers, would be as follows : 

Effects upon the Atchafalaya. — As the Atchafalaya flowed directly from 
the apex of an abrupt bend of the Mississippi, which then, as now, consti- 
tuted its source or head, it is evident that after the meeting mentioned, it 
would become the general recipient of most of the floating drift coming 
down the Mississippi during the rise of its floods. The inevitable result 
of this would be the complete rafting of the Atchafalaya from Berwick's 
Bay to its head. Everything proves this dense rafting to have taken 
place, traces of which are apparent throughout the entire course of the 
river, in its lake formation, and in its numerous lateral chutes, caused by 
the water breaking around the rafts and coming in again below them. 
This has been known to be the case up to a very recent date, as but a few 
years have elapsed since the rafts were broken and removed by the In- 
ternal Improvement Department. These obstructions would render the 
current of the Atchafalaya very sluggish, whence there would be a con- 
sequent rapid deposition of sediment upon the rafts, causing the channel 
of the river to contract and shoal its bed. 



20 

This co-relation between the transporting velocity of the channel of an 
alluvial stream, and the inertia and cohesion of the bottom and sides of 
its channel, are self-evident. If water be taken from the muddiest stream 
and allowed to become quiescent in a vessel, it at once precipitates the 
earthy matter in suspension and becomes pure and limpid, because this 
sendiment had been lifted and carried along entirely by the velocity of the 
current, or the mechanical action of water in motion. We have similar 
results in all sedimentary streams, wherein the slightest check of the cur- 
rent will produce a corresponding deposit in the channel, immediately at 
the point where the current is checked. 

The converse of this is equally true, that the water of an alluvial 
stream will be filled or saturated with earthy matter in suspension, directly 
in proportion to the increase of the velocity of its current. A mountain 
torrent, for instance, detaches large fragments of rocks and rounds them 
into pebbles by the force of its current alone. Such a current, in many of 
the streams of Louisiana, would carry away bodily large masses of earth. 
Besides, the fact is familiar to every one, that the water of the Mississippi 
is more free from sediment at its low stages, than it is during the increased 
velocity of its floods. 

These universal hydro-dynamical laws are dwelt upon in this connection, 
because their effects are not sufficiently considered in constructing many of 
the works of the State, and because we will have occasion to refer to them 
frequently in this report hereafter. 

Effects on the Red River. — It is plain that when their waters first came 
together, the inevitable result would be the absorption of the Red by 
the Mississippi, and the rush of most of its waters down the stream of the 
greatest slope and velocity. This becomes the more evident when we 
reflect that the Red debouched directly into the Mississippi, and that it 
was furthermore completely cut off from its natural outlet — the Atchafa- 
laya. 

As the Mississippi, at that time, swept entirely around the bend now 
called Old River, and as the Atchafalaya became rafted in the manner be 
fore shown, the Red River would continue to flow into it as a forced tribu- 
tary, until some subsequent great change should divert its course and 
direct i^it elsewhere. Throughout all the delta of the Mississippi, it is well 
known that its banks fall rapidly back from the river laterally ; and con- 
sequently, the parallel back valley must be on a lower level on the same 
parallel of latitude. Hence the Red River, running through this lower 
valley, must necessarily be below the Mississippi ; and this being universal 
on every parallel, it is evident that the plane of its slope has a less incli- 
nation also. In consequence, during its floods, and^even at low water, the 
Mississippi would back up its waters into the former ; and as these back 
waters had np n^-tural outlet, they would be forced up the Red, Black, 



21 

Ouachita and Little Rivers and their numerous branches, perhaps for many 
miles. This would produce a constant retardation of the current of lower Red 
River, and a consequent precipitation of the earthy matter held in suspen- 
sion, as this latter is lifted and carried along entirely by the velocity of the 
current, or by the mechanical action of the water ia motion, as we have 
before seen. These depositions would cause the lower part of its channel 
to shoal ; aud the waters coming down from above, together with the back 
waters from the Mississippi, finding no sufficient vent, would escape in a 
sheet flow over the banks into the low bordering swamps, thus converting 
nearly all of this entire region into one vast reservoir, as far as the retar- 
dation extended. 

No great and sudden changes can ever be made in an alluvial stream, 
however, without producing great efforts on the part of nature, to restore 
herself to her primary condition, or its equivalent. Hence the natural 
efforts of the back water in the Red River basin would have been directed 
towards cutting a new channel around and to the west of the Atchafalava, 
in order to take the lower level of its valley to the sea. 

The physical difficulties, however, attending the making of a new channel 
are well known. A cut-off, artificially made, and having all the advantasres 
of a fall of from ten to twenty times greater than that of the stream in which 
it is made, is nevertheless many years in cutting an equal section. And 
crevasses upon the Mississippi, which are a type of the manner in which 
nature would have worked in the case in question, frequently pass away 
without leaving any permanent excavated traces of their existence. In- 
deed, the plough furrows, and the corn and cane stubble, remain in many 
cases as if the disturbing cause had been nothing more violent than a, 
heavy, flooding rain. 

It is plain, therefore, that the back waters in Red River could not have 
excavated a new channel for themselves, but could only have escaped 
laterally, in a sheet flow, over the lower levels of the valley of the Atchafa- 
laya, to its entire submersion in times of floods. This is obvious, from 
the fact that the water once discharged into this lower valley, could never 
return again to the Mississippi by the same channel. Consequently the 
meeting had forced the Red River to be tributary to the Mississippi, and 
its valleys to become a reservoir for the discharge of the surplus floods of 
the latter, partially on account of the rafting of the Atchafalaya. 

Effects upon the Mississippi. — The sudden accession of the waters of Red 
River to its volume, would cause the Mississippi to change its regimen. 
This change could not have been very great or sudden, however, as the 
Atchafalaya, until it became rafted, partially compensated for the accession 
from Red River. In time, this river accommodated itself to the new order 
of things, discharging its surplus in the meanwhile over both of its banks 
into the low swamps behind. 



22 

It is plain, furthermore, that at that time there could have been no 
question of low-water navigation, excepting at the mouth of, and in lower 
Red River, as what is Old River now, was then the Mississippi. 

Such had probably been the condition of these rivers for ages, and this 
was their condition and their several relations at the time they were first 
discovered by the Europeans, and thence up to the year 1831, when our 
troubles regarding navigation began to be really serious. 

shreve's cut-off. 

It is irrelevant to this discussion to introduce the changes wrought by 
civilization in the establishment of its homesteads, and in preparing the 
lands for cultivation. Nor yet is it affected, up to this point, by the com- 
mencement of levees in and around the city of New Orleans in 1727, and 
their gradual extension up and down the coast, until, as at present, the 
Mississippi is confined within parallel embankments. These had nothing 
whatever to do with our present difficulties in the low-water navigation 
between the Red and the Mississippi Rivers. 

The cause of their origin was very different ; and it only adds another 
instance to the long list of evils which have resulted from the many partial 
works constructed in this State, entered into without due survey and reflec- 
tion, and executed without intelligence or skill, for the doubtful benefit of 
one section of the State, to the prejudice and injury of many others. What 
was here attempted as an amelioration of a partial evil, was largely productive 
of a greater, as, indeed, might have been ascertained upon due investigation. 
I allude to the cut-off made by Captain Shreve, jn 1831. To improve 
the navigation at the mouth of, and in lower Red River, which was rapidly 
deteriorating, from the deposition at its mouth, caused by checking the 
current, as we have before seen, recourse was had to this popular but per- 
nicious method of obtaining immediate relief. 

A perfect cut-off produces, together with other results, a sudden fall of 
the whole river, at and above the point where made. 

It is hence evident that there would result temporarily, from this work, 
the immediate benefit required. The Mississippi having suddenly fallen 
at the mouth of Red River, there would necessarily be less back water in the 
latter, and consequently an increased current and greater fall. 

Red River would, therefore, tend to free itself from the shoal bars at its 
mouth, and to wash out the light deposits which had accumulated in its 
bed for some distance above. This benefit could not of necessity be per- 
manent or lasting. For, by thus throwing the Mississippi further to the 
East, it was partially separated from Red River, and, to a certain degree, 
both rivers were forced to assume their original independent channels. 

Several natural causes would tend to widen, if not to complete this sepa- 
ration, two of which, especially, were prominently active. 

1. The tendency of the Mississippi to close up the gorges of its old bend 



' 



23 

by annual deposits in them. This is an invariable law, which operates in 
every cut-oflf, whether natural or artificial ; and of the effects of which 
lakes St. John and Concordia, in the parish of Concordia, a short distance 
above, may be instanced as perfect specimens on the Mississippi. There 
are many other similar cut-offs throughout the State, which have com- 
pletely closed their gorges by this same natural process, and which are 
familiar to every one. 

2. The renewed efforts of the Red River to reach the Gulf by the lower 
levels of the Atchafalaya, from the increased activity which it received under 
this change of regimen and artificial separation. 

Additional power and increased activity were also given to the operations 
of these natural causes by the labors of man. For, in 1833, two years 
after the cut-off had been made, a Board of Public Works was incorporated, 
under which the internal improvements of the State began to be developed. 
The removal of the rafts obstructing the Atchafalaya and Grand Rivers, 
and Bayou Sorrel, being urgently demanded by the necessities of the case, 
was among the earliest of its operations. In order to open the navigation 
through these streams to the Attakapas, a labor required by an increasing 
population, man performed by the removal of these rafts that which nature 
was unable to do without such assistance, as we have before seen. 

When these rafts were partially broken and removed, the increased cur- 
rent velocity of the Atchafalaya soon washed out the light deposits in its 
channel. By the annual assistance which it received from the Internal Im- 
provement Department, this river rapidly assumed its original capacity to 
vent the waters of Red River, with an increased ability to carry off the 
back-waters discharged into the Red River basin by the Mississippi. Thie 
efforts of both of the latter rivers were joined in the same direction — the 
Red River striving to regain its natural outlet by the lower levels of this 
valley, supplied water and current for the abrasion ; and the Mississippi, by 
using the lower Red and all of Old River as a reservoir, greatly weakened 
and retarded the currents in the latter, and hence there resulted a rapid 
precipitation of alluvial deposit, and consequent shoaling throughout the 
entire channel of Old River. Its lower gorge was closed in a few years, 
while bars and shoals were more gradually forming in the upper gorge, 
and islands and shoals in all that part of its channel from the mouth of the 
Red River to the Mississippi. Besides, the Mississippi kept receding fur- 
ther and further to the East, by a vigorous abrasion of its left bank, while 
as rapidly batturing the right bank and filling the gorges of its old bend, 
until it has taken up an equated position at some considerable distance 
from the place where Shreve originally cut his canal. 

It is plain, from these facts, that this cut-off, together with the removal 
of the Atchafalaya rafts, had in a great measure restored the Red and Mis- 
sissippi Rivers to their primary condition, before the meeting of their 



24 

waters, giving each a tendency to the Gulf by its own independent channel. 
The connection of the Red and Atchafalaya with the Mississippi, was made 
to depend entirely upon the navigation of the old bend of the latter, now 
called Old River. This was rapidly filling up from the effects of natural 
causes. In short, the cut-off had only transferred the difficulty from the 
mouth of the Red to the channel of Old River, and had greatly impaired 
the navigation, instead of improving it. 

In its annual report for January, 1839, the old Board of Public Works 
reports as follows : " Since the meeting of the Board, in May last, we have 
learned that the effects of the cut-off in the Mississippi, near Red River, has 
produced considerable obstruction to the navigation of the latter stream, 
and that fears were entertained that the communication with the Missis- 
sippi would be lost." 

This was before the rafts were entirely removed from the Atchafalaya, 
as P. O. Hebert, State Engineer, reports in 1847, that this river " was filled 
with raft and floating drift, from two miles above Bayou Pigeon to within 
seven miles of its head," which obstructions were not removed completely 
until within the past few years. 

Thus, from the time that Shreve's cut-off was made, in 1831, up to the 
year 1839, and for every subsequent year thereafter, the navigation of Old 
River deteriorated more and more, until it became the subject of universaj 
complaint to all of the sections of the State at all interested in having it 
kept open. 

RACCOURCI CUT-OFF. 

Among the many plans suggesting themselves for the amelioration of the 
low-water navigation of Old River, it is singular that no other method could 
be thought of than a recurrence to a second cut-off, especially after the ex- 
perience of the fatal consequences of the first. With this object in view, 
however, the Raccourci Cut-off was proposed and finally completed in 1847. 

Here is another instance of hasty legislation rushing into unknown and 
greater evils, merely to escape for the moment an existing one. Notwith- 
standing the efforts made by P. 0. Hebert, State Engineer, to arrest the 
progress and final execution of this work — ^^and in despite of the warnings 
of other able engineers of scientific attainments, who cautioned the Legisla- 
ture that this proposed cut-off would not produce the benefits expected of 
It, but that it would only cause the inundation of lower Louisiana — still, 
this last crowning work was ordered into execution. 

As was predicted of it, and as might have been anticipated from the char- 
acter of its effects, this work led to an early and complete separation of the 
Red and the Mississippi Rivers, by giving additional power and activity to 
all the causes which we have seen in operation, assisting them the more 
rapidly to destroy this veiy navigation through Old River, which it had 
been made to improve. 



25 

l^his cut-off was completed in 1847. Since then, Old River has filled up, 
not gradually, but with extraordinary rapidity. Every river pilot will 
confirm this; and it is, furthermore, attested by the annual legislation in- 
voked by general complaint for its improvement. Since that time, further- 
more, the rafts in the Atchafalaya have been completely broken, and to a 
great extent removed, so that its channel is now widened and deepened to 
something like its original capacity and magnitude. 

The rapidity of the changes resulting to Old River from these cut-offa, 
is fully illustrated by the following attached lithographic maps : 

Map A. — From the map of M. Bm. Lafon, Civil Engineer, made in 
1805, which shows the relations between the Mississippi, Red and Atcha- 
falaya Rivers, twenty-six years before Shreve's cut-off was made. 

Map B. — From the surveys and map of George T. Dunbar, Engineer 
Board of Public Works, made in 1839, eight years after the cut-off was 
made, which faithfully illustrates the filling of the gorges of its old bend by 
the Mississippi. It also exhibits the soundings in these gorges at the time, 
as well as those at the mouth of Red Jliver, and at the head of the Atchafa- 
laya. 

Map C. — From the surveys and soundings of L. Hebert, State Engi- 
neer, made in 1855, and in 1856, showing the further progress of the filling 
of the gorges, and the formation of islands in the upper part of the loop 
cut-off, from the mouth of Red River to the Mississippi. This map was 
made after the rafts were removed from the Atchafalaya. A comparison 
of the soundings laid down upon this map with those upon Dunbar's map, 
made fifteen years before, shows the rapidity of the deepening of the head 
of the Atchafalaya, after the removal of its rafts and the increased velocity 
of its current. 

Maps D and E, on file in this office, exhibit still further changes, subse. 
guent to the making of the Raccourci cut-off, and its effects upon the gorges 
of its old bend. 

In consequence, therefore, of the making of these cut-offs and the removal 
of the Atchafalaya rafts, Nature nas at length triumphed in the execution 
of her universal and unchangeable laws. And while the Legislatures of 
1859 and 1860 were passing the foregoing acts, anticipatory of a separa. 
tion of the Red and Mississippi Rivers, that result had in reality already 
taken place, for all the practical purposes of low-water navigation, and the 
waters of the Red and the Atchafalaya were eftectually blended into one 
stream, flowing majestically, in one unbroken channel of over two thousand 
miles, from the Rocky Mountains to the Gulf of Mexico. 

This has probably been the case for several years past; and it will be 
endeavored to be proven, further on in this report, that this separation bag 
been any thing but a misfortune to the best interests of the State. 

4 C E 



26 

PROOFS OF THE DESTRUCTION OF NAVIGATION. 

In evidence of the complete destruction of the low-water navigation, I 
will adduce the following facts : 

In July last, between the 1st and 19th of the month, when there was 
about five feet of water over the bar at the mouth of Old River, the surface 
currents invariably set in, in every instance, from the Mississippi towards 
the mouth of Red River, and with the following velocities : 

At two miles from the mouth, the current was, at that time, 1.7 feet per 
second. At two and three quarter miles, it was 1.3 feet per second. Be- 
low the islands, in the channel of Old River, the current was 1.0 feet, still 
setting in. Continuing in the same direction, the right hand channel around 
the islands had a current of 0.66 feet per second ; and the left hand channel 
a current of 1.2 feet per second, both setting in. 

The surface current of Red River set up stream from its mouth at the 
rate of 0.45 feet per second, whence it slacked up to a point about five 
miles above the mouth, and then came to a stand, or dead water. 

The current through the head gf the Atchafalaya was, at the same time, 
4.16 feet per second. At the distance of one mile from the head, its current 
was 2.1 feet per second ; and three miles below, it was 2.0 feet, which is 
about its average velocity there, for that stage of water. 

The mean areas of the water sections of the mouths of these three rivers 
were, at the same time, as follows : 

Old River 9,119 square feet. 

Red River 30,741 «' " 

Atchafalaya 7,061 



<< << 



These sectional areas and velocities give us the following discharging 
capacities : 

Atchafalaya 29,390 cubic feet per second. 

Red River 13,833 *' *' 

Old River 19,149 " " 

In other words, the discharge of the Atchafalaya, at that time, exceeded 
the combined discharge of both the Red and Old Rivers — as the back 
current in Red River more than compensates for the slight excess. It is 
plain, therefore, that the Atchafalaya discharged not only the waters of 
Red River, but also those of Old River, which are wholly supplied from the 
Mississippi. The back water in Red River retarding its current, makes it 
equally evident that a constant deposition is going on at its mouth, and in 
the lower part of its course. 

There are disturbing causes around the mouth of Old River which form 
eddies, which frequently give its currents the appearance of running out 
into the Mississippi. This has led casual observers to suppose that the 
currents of Old River are variable, and that they sometimes set in and 



2T 

sometimes out at the same stage, in proportion as the supply from the" 
Mississippi or from the Red River prevails. This is not the fact, however, 
and it is clearly disproved by testing* the current at any point beyond the 
influences mentioned, when it will be found that the Mississippi invariably 
sets into Old River at all stages of water. This is so obvious from the fact 
of the lower levels of the valley of Red River, that it would hardly seem 
to require proof. 

Character of the Bar. — The great diflaculties in the navigation of Old 
River during low water, arise principally from the bar at its immediate 
mouth, and the many increasing shoals around and below the islands in 
the wider part of the channel. These latter shoals are getting worse and 
more numerous every year. The bar at the mouth is composed of very 
light and shifting alluvial deposit, which is constantly changing its position 
under the influence of the currents, but more especially under that of the 
eddies already mentioned. 

In July last, these changes were so rapid that a boat in passing over the 
bar on her up trip, was almost sure to run aground in taking the same 
channel on her return. The Anna Perret, drawing five feet, grounded in 
going up on the 19th of July, by attempting the same channel which 
she had safely taken a few days before in coming down. After lying 
there some twelve hours, the soundings on her port side gave only one 
foot in depth from stem to stern, the light sands constituting the bar, 
having drifted around her to that depth in this short space of time. 

On the 12th of August, the mouth was entirely closed to the passage of 
the Catahoula, at which time there was from eighteen to twenty inches of 
water upon the bar. It was subsequently reported to have fallen still lower. 
On the 28th of September, shortly after one of the small class steam- 
boats had ploughed her way through the bar, there was obtained, by ac- 
curate measurements, the following results : 

Actual width of water cbannel 170 feet 

Average depth of channel 2 . 959 ** 

Sectional water area about 503 sq. " 

Upon a due examination of the foregoing facts, the following conclusions 
are apparent to every one : 

I. That the low water navigation of Old River is completely destroyed 
for all practical purposes ; and that, as the same causes are still operating, 
it must necessarily deterioate more and more every year. 

II. That the water supply of Old River is due to the Mississippi, both at 
high and low stages, and not to the Red River. 

III. That the Red and Atchafalaya Rivers are unquestionably one and 
the same stream now, whatever may have been their former relations. 

IV. And that there is a constant deposit at the mouth, and in lower 
Red River, owing to the retardation of its current by the back waters of 
t)ie Mississippi. 



S8 

Hence, Old River now, can only be regarded as a communication between 
the Red, Atchafalaya and the Mississippi during the continuance of high 
waters, at which times it also acts as a water-waste to the surplus floods 
of the latter. 

PLANS OF IMPROVEMENT PROPOSED. 

The question then arises, what can be done to improve the low-water 
navigation of Old River ? We are now in a position to profitably intro- 
duce into this discussion, the several projects proposed by the Legislature 
in the foregoing acts. We will take them up in their chronological order. 
Act No. 269 of 1859, calls for the preservation of the navigation of Old 
River, and the prevention of the impending separation between the Red 
and Mississippi Rivers. 

Now we have seen that the navigation of the former has already been 
destroyed, and that the separation of the latter has already been effected, 
for all practical purposes, as far as low-water navigation's concerned, 
which is obviously the sense of the act. The question then changes and 
becomes, how can we restore this low-water navigation in the one case ? 
and thus renew the connection of these rivers in the other ? 

Can these results be obtained by completely damming Old River below 
the mouth of the Red, in order to cut off the Atchafalaya from its source of 
supplies, as proposed in act No. 29 of 1860 ; or will a partial closing of 
the head of the Atchafalaya be productive of the object desired, as pro- 
posed in act No. 30 of 1860? 

Let us answer these in their order. 

DAM ACROSS OLD RIVER. 

It is wholly practicable to construct such a damas is here proposed, 
which will forever dissolve the present connection between the Red and 
Atchafalaya Rivers, and which will force the Red River to become 
the tributary of the Mississippi, so that we will secure the permanent 
low-water navigation desired. To accomplish this, however, it is 
evident that wing-levels must be extended to connect with the Mississippi 
levees from one end of the dam, and to connect with the levees on Red 
River from the other. Otherwise there would be a lateral escape of the 
waters of Red River, flowing behind and around the dam, in their efforts 
to regain the lower levels of the Atchafalaya. In thus making the Red 
River a tributary of the Mississippi, advantage should be taken of the su- 
perior capabilities of the lower branch of Old River for the purpose. 
This we can accomplish by throwing our dam directly across the head 
©f the Atchafalaya, and by cutting a canal through the narrow neck of 
battnre, between the upper and lower branches of Old River, to establish 
the connection at that point. (See line a & on attached map C.) 

TJie reasouB for this are, that this lower branch was the original slope of 



29 

the Mississippi, that it has a more natural and less abrupt curve for the 
discharge of the water, because it is deeper and is not obstructed with 
islands and shoals, and because it has a greater descent in its water 
plane. Although I consider this work practicable and capable of accom- 
plishing the ends in view, yet, nevertheless, I am forced to abandon it 
for other reasons. Its cost will be immense, yet not so great as to ren- 
der its feasibility nugatory, were it not for the evil consequences which 
its adoption will produce, which are provided against in the act, and which 
will be discussed in this report hereafter. 

ESTIMATED COST OF THIS PLAN. 

Cubic y'ds. 

Dam across the head of the Atchafalaya 195,600 

Levees to connect the ends of the dam with the levees on the 

Red and the Mississippi Rivers at the nearest points 3,691,306 

Cutting canal through batture between the upper and lower 

branches of Old River 75,777 

Total cubic yards of cutting and embankment 3,962,683 

Which, at 25 cents per cubic yard, will cost $990,670 75 

Add for contingencies, inspections, etc 5^829 25 

Total cost 1996,000 00 

The necessary expenses of increasing the hight of the levees on the 
Mississippi, on both banks, above and below the mouth of Old River, are 
not included in the above estimates. 

PARTIALLY CLOSING THE HEAD OP THE ATCHAFALAYA. 

Relative to this project, its feasibility is increased by using the lower 
branch of Old River, and by cutting a canal to connect with the upper 
branch, for the reasons before given. The only proper and effectual 
manner of constructing this work, is to carefully groyne the left bank 
of the head of the Atchafalaya to prevent its further abrasion. Then to 
construct a powerful break-water from the other bank, with protecting 
groyned wings, and to project nearly across the head of the stream. 
Furthermore, such a curve and direction must be given to the break- 
water, as to direct the current of Red River through the lower branch of 
Old River, and thence through the canal to the upper branch. 

By this method of constructing the work, we have surrounded it with 
every favorable circumstance. We have substituted the deep water of 
lower Old River for the shoal and difficult navigation of its upper branch, 
and have reduced the difficulties of the problem to the bar at the immedi- 
ate mouth of Old River, and a shoal channel of only two miles in length 
from the canal a i, to the mouth. 

As we have partly closed its natural outlet, a larger volume of Red River 



30 

wonld neoessarily be thrown through this new channel, and to some ex- 
tent upon the shifting bar at the mouth of Old River. When the differences 
of level between the Red River and the Mississippi are considered, it is not 
safe to presume that this increase of water will have any great scouring 
velocity, which alone would make it successful. 

On the contrary, it is evident that our break-water only acts as si partial 
dam, and by making a reservoir of Old River, some water is, perforce, dis- 
charged into the Mississippi from a certain rise in the reservoir, — nothing 
more. It is evident, therefore, that we will still have to dredge the bar an- 
nually in order to secure our low- water navigation ; and by harrowing and 
scraping throughout the reduced distance during low stages, we would 
probably preserve this communication for a few years to come. 

ESTIMATED COST OF THIS WORK. 

Cubic y'ds. 
Catting canal through batture between upper and lower Old River 75,777 

Which at 25 cents per cubic yard will cost $18,944 25 

Break- water with groyned wings complete 35,000 00 

Contingencies, inspections, etc 2,055 75 

Total cost $56,000 00 

There will be an annual expenditure in harrowing and scraping, not 
included in the above estimate. 

Of the two plans under consideration, this is unquestionably the least 
objectionable in its consequences. The first would be permanent, ho w 
eTer, whereas the last could only delay the evil day for a few years, within- 
which time the natural causes at work would bring us back exactly to our 
present condition. A large sum of money would have been expended 
thus to secure a temporary benefit ; as nothing is hazzarded in predicting 
the ultimate failure of this method, arising from the same causes which 
now produce the bars, shoals and islands in Old River. To accomplish the 
ends in view, and solve the problem thoroughly, the works constructed 
must be permanently successful. Otherwise there would be a constant ex" 
penditure of money, for useless and impracticable results. 

PLAN PROPOSED BY L. HEBERT, STATE ENGINEER. 

The second Section of act No. 262 of 1859, requires the recommenda- 
tions made by L. Hebert, State Engineer, in his Special Report of Feb- 
ruary 7th, 1859, on Bayou Cut-off, to be taken as the basis of the future 
surveys for the improvements under discussion ; and as these surveys were 
completed under the direction of that officer, and a project predicated upon 
them, it will be proper in this connection to examine the works which have 
been proposed by that gentleman. 

His plan to improve the navigation through Old River, and to preserve 



81 

the connection between theJRed and the Mississippi Rivers, as given in hii 
Special Report of March, 1860, is as follows : To gradually close the At- 
chafalaya, at Simmesport, with a dam, with wing levees extending from the 
one end of this dam up the left bank of the Atchafalaya to Old River, and 
thence around to connect with the Mississippi levees. 

From the other, or western terminus of the dam, the levees are to extend 
along the lower (right) bank of Bayou Des Glaises, from Simmesport to 
Moreauville, where the Des Glaises is to be diked ; thence to the Avoyelles 
prairies at the nearest point, and from the other side of these prairies 
across to the Red River, below Bayou Choctaw, and finally up the Red 
River to connect with its levees below Alexandria on the right bank. 

It is furthermore proposed to open the Latanache as an outlet, to com- 
pensate for the water thrown into the Mississippi by the Red River, and 
as a source of supply for the Atchafalaya. In connection, also, to raise 
and strengthen the levees on both sides of the Mississippi, for fifty miles 
above the mouth of Old River down to its mouth. 

It is obvious that this plan forces the Red to become tributary to the 
Mississippi, and that in its general features, it satisfies the requirements 
of Joint Resolution No. 29, of 1860. It has another feature, however, 
wherein the resemblance ceases, and which must be discussed separately. 
This is the proposal to feed the Atchafalaya from the Mississippi, 
through the Latanache, converting this latter, at the same time, into an 
outlet for the relief of the Mississippi. 

Now the Latanache heads in the bend of the old river resulting from the 
Raccourci Cut-ofif. The upper gorge of this bend has already been closed 
completely by natural causes, fulfilling the constant law of all Cut-offs, as 
we have previously seen. In a like manner, also, the lower gorge has 
greatly filled up, so that at the present time it is obstructed by a bar, 
which completely closes it to canoe navigation in low-water. 

The difficulties attending the making of a new channel, or enlarging an 
old one, even under the most favorable circumstances, are well known ; 
and hence it is reasonable to conclude, from the many obstacles surround- 
ing the present case, that a century may perhaps elapse before the La- 
tanache will enlarge sufficiently to equal the present discharge of the At- 
chafalaya, if, indeed, it ever enlarges at all under the circumstances. 
Therefore we may safely throw this element out of the future discussion. 

ESTIMATED COST OF THIS PLAN. 

Cubic y-ds. 
Dam across the Atchafalaya at Simmesport (taken same as at 

head) 195,600 

Wing levees to connect with the levees of Red River and the 

Mississippi 3,691,306 

Dam across Des Glaises at Moreauville 13,333 

Opening Latenache and straightening same 2,640,000 



Leveeing both banks of the Latenache, from the Mississippi to 

Atchafalaya 1,689,600 

Total cubic yards 8,229,839 

Which at 25 cents per cubic yard of excavation and embank- 
ment will cost $2,057,459 75 

Add for contingencies, inspections, etc 6,540 25 

Total cost of plan $2,064,000 00 

The cost of raising and strengthening the levees on the Mississippi as pro- 
posed, is not included in the foregoing estimate. 

A work is impracticable to a State as to an individual, when it is beyond 
the means of the one or the other ; and perhaps the expenditure of over 
two millions of dollars upon a single State work, even of the great im- 
portance and general character of this, is beyond the present means of the 
State of Louisiana. 

JMy objections to this method of attaining the objects in view, are not ^ 

foTJiided upon its cost, however, but upon other considerations much more 
serious in their character and consequences as I shall now proceed to 
show : 

INUNDATION RESULTING FROM THE ADOPTION OF EITHER OF THE PROPOSED PLANS. 

Another element of the very highest importance here enters into the 
discussion of this question. This is the effects which will be produced by 
inundation upon the adjacent and distant country, and the changes of 
regimen, slope and velocity, which will be assumed by these several rivers 
and their tributaries, resulting in times of flood, from the adoption of either 
of these proposed works. This will be simplified by showing the present * 

condition and relations of these several rivers and their adjacent tributaries, 
when the changes resulting from either plan, will become the more 
apparent. 

Present Relations. — As things now exist, we have the Red and the 
Atchafalaya Rivers co.nstituting one and the same stream, which flows in 
a valley nearly parallel with that of the Mississippi, and connected with 
the latter during high water by that waste-wier called Old River. 

Owing to the rapid lateral slope of the banks of the Mississippi every- 
where, this parallel back valley, occupied by the Red and the Atchafalaya, 
must be below that of the former river, and consequently their high and low 
water marks must necessarily be below the high and low water marks of 
the Mississippi, for the corresponding stage, on the same parallel of latitude. 
These facts are demonstrated by the lines of level run on every parallel, 
which we will illustrate by the following examples : 

1. The section through Bayou Cut-ofi^, made in November, 1857, gives 
tbe following water levels ; High water mark of Red River, three feet i 



below that of the Mississippi. Low water mark of Red River, five feet 
below the low water mark of the Mississippi. 

2. A line run between the two rivers, about two miles south of Bavou 
Cut-ofF, gives the high water mark of Red River three and eight tenths 
feet below that of the Mississippi. 

3. The high water mark of the Atchafalaya is fourteen and one-tenth 
feet below that of the Mississippi, through the Latanache section. 

4. The high water mark at Indian Village is twenty and two-tenths feet 
below that of the Mississippi. 

5. There is no difiference in the levels of the high water marks of the 
Mississippi at Torras' and that of the mouth of Red Riv.er, owing to their 
direct connection through Old River. 

6. The high water mark of the head of the Atchafalaya is seven- 
hundreths feet below that of the Mississippi at Torras', showing that these 
differences of level hold good, even through the Old River section ; and 
similar results would be shown by the sections on any other parallel. 

From Bayou Cut-off to the mouth of the Old River, a distance of twenty- 
one miles by way of the Mississippi, the fall of the latter is 7-87 feet, or 
nearly 4-5 inches per mile. The distance from the same bayou, by way 
of the Red River to the mouth of the latter, is about fifteen miles, and the 
fall of the Red River between these points is 2-72 feet, or a little over 2 
inches per mile. Hence we have lower levels and a less inclination of 
the plane of descent of the Red River compared with that of the Mississippi. 

It is conclusive, therefore, that the waters of the Mississippi must flow 
into the Red and the Atchafalaya Rivers, even at the lowest stages, as its 
water marks are higher at every stage. This fact has already been indi- 
cated in the currents through Old River previously given. 

It is equally conclusive, furthermore, that the Mississippi, during high 
water, will back up the Red River, owing to the lesser inclination of its 
slope, directly in proportion to the highth of the water mark in the 
Mississippi above that of the Red River. Therefore it requires no further 
demonstration to prove that the only possible case in which any of the 
waters of the Red River could flow into the Mississippi through Old River, 
would be when the former should rise, from some extraordinary cause, 
above the water marks of the Mississippi, upon the same parallel of latitude. 
Such cases must naturally be so rare and unusual, as to justify us in 
throwing its consideration out of the question. Hence we have now two 
injurious effects to Red River and its adjacent country, from the Mississippi 
waters through Old River : 

1. The deterioration and complete destruction of the low water naviga- 
tion of Old River, ruining the trade and commerce of Red River and the 
Attakapas. 

2, The retardation of the Red River current at and above its mouth, and 

5 C B 



the consequent shoaling of that part of its channel, causing, besides, a 
gentle overflow of the surrounding low country during low water. 

During the prevalence of high water or floods, the question assumes a 
very difl'erent aspect. The Mississippi then rushes through the gorge of 
Old River, and finding the high water slope of the Red River of easier 
descent than its own, and the Atchafalaya being unable to vent these 
additional waters as rapidly as they are forced upon it, they are necessarily 
backed up the Red River for many miles, overflowing its banks and flood- 
ing the entire country. Every ordinary high water backs up as far as the 
falls at Alexandria ; and at times of extreme floods, the waters are backed 
even above the falls. They are well known to extend up the Black River, 
and thence up the Ouachita to the mouth of Bayou Bartholomew, a dis- 
tance of over three hundred miles. This back water also extends up the 
Tensas and Little Rivers, as well as through all the outlets and branches of 
these several streams, overflowing all of the adjacent low country. 

The current of the back water is sometimes so great at Trinity, the 
junction of the Ouachita, Tensas, and Little Rivers, that it has been known 
in its first rise, to transport rafts up the Ouachita to Harrisonburg, from 
that point. 

In fact, the levels previously given of the sections through the Lata- 
nache and Bayou Cut-ofi*, exhibit the fact that the high water mark of Red 
River, at this latter point, is 11-10 feet higher than it should be, and which 
is due entirely to the back waters from the Mississippi. 

A glance at the map of Louisiana will show us the great extent of low 
country annually subjected more or less to inundation from this back 
water ; while at the same time, the streams throughout all this region, 
have sufficient capacity within their banks, with an ordinary amount of 
leveeing, to carry off all the drainage and flood waters which naturally 
belong to them. 

What immense interests are here sacrificed, when we reflect that many 
of these lands are in cultivation, and that the low lands thus inundated, 
commonly called swamps, are among the best in the State, and are swamps 
no more, but are at once fit for culture from the moment that an outlet is 
afforded to the waters which cover them. 

Nor is this all; the water in this great basin occupies valleys which 
we have shown to be below that of the Mississippi. It consequently fol- 
lows that it must find a new outlet to the Gulf, as it surely cannot flow 
back into the Mississippi, as the floods of this river recede. The levels 
previously given make this obvious. 

It therefore follows that it flows down the Atchafalaya and over the low 
country bordering upon this stream, backing up its branches and renewing 
the same inundating process everywhere below, which it first performed 
in the parishes above. It is evident that these results should obtain, as 



85 

we add a whole river to the Atchafalaya through Old River, when it is 
already full from its natural sources. 

Just look at the map and see the extensive territory drained by the 
Atchafalaya, the Red having its source in the Rocky Mountains, while 
many of its tributaries come in from Texas and Arkansas. In fact, with 
the exception of Calcasieu, Lafourche Interior, and the Florida parishes, 
the remainder of the streams of the State, are principally discharged through 
the Atchafalaya, together with the Mississippi surplus through Old River. 
This is evidently a case of extreme servitude. Besides, there is a fur- 
ther accession to this large volume of water in the Atchafalaya, by a 
second installment from the Mississippi through Bayou Plaquemine. The 
Mississippi surplus discharged through this bayou during floods, would not, 
to any considerable extent, submerge the lower Atchafalaya and its valley, 
if this were the only accession thereto. 

The injurious effects produced by this bayou upon the Attakapas, arise 
from essentially different causes. They are these : 

1. The tendency of the Mississippi drift to float down the Plaquemine, 
to raft and choke up all of the outlets of the Atchafalaya, among which 
we may enumerate the Sorrel, the Tensas, Grand River, the Pigeons, Lake 
Chicot, and Grand Lake. These rafts prevent the free flow of the water, 
and consequently cause it to back and overflow the country above the rafts. 

2. The tendency of the Plaquemine to shoal lower Grand River by 
deposites at their junction, occasioned by the check given to the current 
of that river, by the greater velocity of the current of Plaquemine. Dur- 
ing high water, the average fall of the Plaquemine is 2-38 feet per mile, 
whereas that of Grand River if only 0*40 feet per mile. The meeting of 
these unequal currents, in almost opposite directions, checks and retards 
that of Grand River for nearly nine miles above the confluence of these 
streams, and which causes a shoaling of the river channel throughout that 
distance, to the detriment of navigation and the submersion by back water 
of the country above. 

The overflow of the low lands of the Attakapas, however, is less the 
result of the waters discharged over it by the Plaquemine, than of the 
great excess coming down from the Red River, together with the Missis- 
sippi surplus through the Old River. 

It is, hence, plain that Old River and Bayou Plaquemine, bear mutual 
relations to each other, and that they have many points of similitude. 
They both connect the Mississippi with the Red and the Atchafalaya Rivers; 
both act as outlets for the discharge of the surplus waters of the former 
on the latter, and both are high water communications to the commerce, 
travel, and products of the country — the one for the North and the North- 
Western portion of the State, and the other for the Attakapas. Conse- 
quently, to be entirely successful, both of tbem must be ombr^ced ia mj 



86 

adopted plan, for the complete reclamation of the country in question, as 
well as to secure low water navigation to their respective regions. 

In reference to the effects produced upon the Mississippi, by the existing 
state of things, I can only observe that if outlets are in reality beneficial 
to an alluvial stream, like the Mississippi, then we may rejoice in that of 
Old Kiver. For lam thoroughly convinced that it is utterly impractica- 
ble, and indeed impossible, to make an outlet to the Mississippi at any 
place between this point and the salt marshes, that will exceed the reliev- 
ing capacity posessed by Old River. 

As changes will be proposed hereafter in this report, which will effect 
Old River and Bayou Plaquemine as outlets, it becomes necessary to ex- 
amine other points on the Mississippi, in order to seek a corresponding 
relief elsewhere. 

PROPOSED SITES FOR NEW OUTLETS. 

Abstractly speaking, outlets can be made at many points, but from the 
salt marshes at the head of the Passes, up to the mouth of Old River' 
every sight hitherto designated, is more or less objectionable. 

Those cutting from the left bank of the Mississippi into lakes Borgne 
Ponchartrain, or Maurepas, are objectionable, because that in time 
they would fill up these lakes with their deposits, and consequently 
destroy this lake navigation to an extensive commerce. Those from the 
right bank, as through Lake Moreau to the Atchafalaya, or enlarging the 
Plaquemine, because this country is already subjected to such an excessive 
servitude from the Mississippi, together with the waters of Red River and 
its branches, that it can bear no more. 

To enlarge the Lafourche, is also objectionable, in consequence of the 
excessive cost in damages which would result from disturbing the agri- 
cultural interests of so populous and wealthy a portion of the State. 

Between the Lafourche and the salt marshes, on the right bank, the 
injurious effects of an outlet, and the lack of capacity of the streams and 
lakes behind to carry off the water which would be discharged into them 
by an outlet from the Mississippi, were clearly exemplified by the Bell and 
LaBranche crevasses in 1858. 

The country behind those crevasses is filled with fresh water lakes, and 
nearer the Gulf, with tide water bayous and salt marshes, with ample oat- 
lets to the sea. These are quite capable of performing their natural 
drainage of the land slope of the Mississippi and the parallel valley behind. 
But when this basin became the recipient of the discharge of the crevasses 
mentioned, in addition to its own waters, all the adjacent river planta- 
tions were submerged, as well as those on bayous Barataria and Pierrot, 
while the waters even rose above the wide expanse of the salt tide marsh, 
down as far as Barataria Bay and the Gulf Coast. The water stood over 
the marsh around Little Lake at a depth of from five to six feet. An out- 



V) 



87 

let cut from the English Turn to Lake Borgne, is probably less objection* 
able than any other place which can be selected. The impracticability of 
making an outlet of any considerable size, even at this most favorable 
location, will be evident from the following facts : 

In the first place it would fill the lake, and so close itself by its own 
deposits in a very short time. The large amount of this deposit, and the 
rapidity of its precipitation, when the current is constantly checked, is 
illustrated by the fact, that the outward extension of the land at the im- 
mediate mouths of the Mississippi, is one mile in about fourteen years, 
as determined by United States surveys, and one mile of the whole front 
of the delta is estimated to extend in from ninety to one hundred years. 
Consequently we may open an outlet at the English Turn to any given 
depth or width, and assist its cutting by every artificial means ; but just «o 
sure as nature's laws are unchanging and unchangeable, just so sure will 
this outlet contract its channel and shoal its bed, and subsequently its 
source or head at the Mississippi, until it becomes a mere waste-wier like 
the Lafourche or Plaquemine. 

Bayou Manchac was an outlet of the Mississippi until a recent date ; 
and the Lafourche and the Plaquemine continue to be outlets still. At one 
time, doubtless, they were the main passes of the river, before the delta 
had extended in its outward progress towards the Gulf and left them inland. 
Do these continue at their original depth and width — that of the Mississippi? 
They remain to answer this question negatively. The same fate attended 
many other outlets, traces of which are frequently evident, and all of which 
were closed by the same natural means. 

In addition to the causes operating to close a cut-ofl^, or as at present to 
close a natural outlet like Old River — for since the opening of the Atchafa- 
laya, it is really nothing else, as the argument is the same whether the 
outlet discharges into a river, a lake, or the sea — there was still another 
cause at work in these cases. This was simply the formation of bars at 
the mouths of these outlets — the undeviating law of debouchernent of all 
sedimentary streams, which caused them to fill the more rapidly, by work- 
ing from both ends at the same time. Let me illustrate this point more 
clearly. See annexed diagram, (Fig. III.) The distance of the head of 
Bayou Plaquemine from the Balize is, in round numbers, two hundred 
and ten miles. This, at 1.4 inches per mile, (as was determined in a re- 
cent survey to be the average fall of the high water of 1859,) gives us the 
surface water at Plaquemine 24.5 feet above the surface water of the Gulf; 
or, in other words, if the tide plane were produced to Plaquemine, it would 
be 24.5 feet below the surface of the water at that place. 

Now, the depth of the Mississippi at Plaquemine is 122 feet, and the 
depth of the water over the bar at the mouth is only 15 feet. Deducting 
24.5 from 122 feet, and we ^nd the level of the bottom of the river at this 



38 

place to be 97.5 feet, referred to the tide plane ; or 82.5 feet lower than 
the bottom over the bar. 

It is evident from this, that the great volume of water is acting, as it 
were, constantly up hill from that point, by which its friction is increased, 
and the velocity of the current diminished. Now, the least check in the 
velocity of the current hastens the deposition, and, as a consequence, we 
have a constant filling from the sea inwards. 

This argument will be still more forcible, if a shorter stream, like the 
proposed outlet from the Mississippi to Lake Borgne, be taken as our illus- 
tration. The distance between the river and the lake, is about five miles, 
and the mean surface of the lake is eleven feet below the high-water mark 
of the Mississippi. The Coast Survey soundings of the lake do not give 
us a depth exceeding nine feet. Upon this data, (see annexed diagram. 
Fig. IV,) the action and results required of the proposed outlet may be 
enunciated in the following proposition : 

Required, to excavate a prism of solid earth, five miles long and one 
hundred feet deep, entirely by the action of the abrading power of the 
velocity of the Mississippi current, with such artificial assistance as man 
can give it — the average fall of the high water through the outlet, being 
given at 2.50 feet per mile. 

Now the average fall of Bayou Plaquemine, during high water, is 2.38 
feet per mile ; and yet it is very questionable if this stream has ever sensi- 
bly deepened its channel. The fall of the water through the Raccourci 
Cut-ofi", when first made, was at the rate of 6.50 feet per mile; and yet, 
even at the present day, the river section through this cut-off does not equal 
that of the average section above or below it, with all the superior advan- 
tages which it possessed as a cut-off" over the abrading power of an outlet. 
It is obvious, therefore, that this solid prism could never be removed by 
the action of the current, combined with all the assistance which man 
could render it. 

Let us suppose, however, that it were removed entirely to a depth cor- 
responding with a plane connecting the bottoms of the river and the lake. 
Is it not evident that the current, even then, would be confined entirely to 
the surface during floods, whereas the bottom current, which is to perform 
the labor, would be retarded ? Fig. IV. makes this conspicuous. It must 
be remembered, furthermore, that we only have a current at all during high 
water ; the low-water mark of the river being about the same as the mean 
level of the lake, at which times the outlet would fill with its own deposi- 
tions. Besides, the deposits made in the lake during floods, would soon 
check, if not completely destroy, the surface current of the high water. This 
is the active agent now engaged in filling up the Lafourche from its mouth 
towards Lockport. The Lafourche, however, is about one hundred and 
seventeen miles in length, whereas oqr proposef^ outlet into Lake Borgne 



xio<Ii|^R[j£nai&?g "^l 






BBjs.s'j ^m-A 



1h \ 



a9A9'J 



39 

18 only Hve miles, and it is reasonable, therefore, to suppose that it would 
fill with still greater rapidity. 

This cause is also operating rapidly on the Cut through the Right Bank 
of the River, near the head of the Passes, called the Jump, which is fast 
closing in from the Gulf in the same manner, with a willow growth on its 
batture. It has caused the frequent changes of the Passes at the mouth of 
the Mississippi, making an impassable mouth navigable at one time, and 
destroying the navigation through the best of the mouths at other times. 
It has acted on, and closed all of the upper, natural outlets of the delta, 
and would, at once and forever, continue to act upon our artificial outlet 
at Lake Borgne, or elsewhere, until it would become a mere waste for high 
water discharge, however deep and wide it may have been made original- 
ly. During low water it would be impossible to prevent its filling from 
natural causes, and we are, therefore, led to conclude that the making of 
new outlets is utterly impracticable. 

ARE OUTLETS BENEFICIAL? 

The question of Outlets may at first appear irrelevant to this discussion, 
but it is in fact so intimately blended with our subject, that it cannot be 
avoided. As there has been a great deal of able discussion, and many 
skillful and plausible theories advanced for and against outlets as a source 
of relief for the floods of the Mississippi, I shall strictly confine myself to 
such facts as bear upon the subject in hand. 

The question naturally divides itself into two heads : 

1st — Is it practicable, or can we relieve the floods of the Mississippi 
through lateral outlets ? 

2d — Or, should our dependence be placed entirely upon a thorough 
and proper system of levees ? 

I. Levees. — It is evident and conclusive, in the first place, however, that the 
productive wealth and the general prosperty of Louisiana, mainly depend 
upon the vast agricultural resources of her fertile lands ; and in the second 
place, that the most valuable of these lands are, to a great extent, worth* 
less without levees. Hence, whether we make outlets to discharge the 
surplus waters of the Mississippi or not, our levees must be pushed for- 
ward over a very large portion of the State, wherever we expect to bring 
the lands into cultivation. This is self-evident. If the face of the coun- 
try was unprepared by nature for the habitations of man on its first dis- 
coverj'-, art, by the construction of levees, has overcome in a great measure 
the obstacles preventing its occupation ; until now, the interests are too 
large to be abandoned, and science, skill and intelligence must perfect the 
system which has been inaugurated. 

At one time, the system of colmates might have been practically intro- 
duced, and the low lands of Louisiana raised by annual deposits, as has 



been Successfully practiced in the reclamation of the Pontine Marshes of 
Italy, or as is now gradually going on, upon a large natural scale, upon 
the banks of the Nile in Egypt. This system requires great length of 
time, and our lands are no longer marshes, but are now highly cultivated 
plantations, teeming with the richest products of the earth, and which can- 
not be aba,ndoned to this tedious process of reclaiming them, without the 
most destructive sacrifice. 

The levee protection must, therefore, be continued over them. The sub- 
ject opens at once into a wide range, and directs inquiry upon many points 
of the greatest interest to thousands. 

What is to be the ultimate effect of the levee system ? Should new out- 
lets be opened ? or, should those in existence be closed, and dependence be 
placed entirely upon levees ? Do the annual floods increase or diminish 
with the opening of the West, and the leveeing and draining of the States 
above us on the river ? What are the best means of protection for the 
lower country ? How shall the millions of acres of swamp lands be re- 
claimed, without this reclamation affecting injuriously those already under 
cultivation ? 

These, and many other similar questions will at once present themselves to 
the miiid of any one, on duly investigating this subject. I must confess that 
our data is indeed very limited, considering the numberless chances pre- 
sented for scientific observation, in the frequency of the floods and by nu- 
merous crevasses. With the exception of a few isolated cases, sufficient 
observations have not been taken to enable us satisfactorily to answer all of 
these questions, and until this is done, discussion will be futile and theories 
nugatory. 

There are some general facts, however, which experience and private 
observation have supplied, regarding the habits of the Mississippi, which 
will partially assist, and warn us when we go too far beyond the line on 
either side. 

I am convinced, in the first place, that nearly every crevasse which has 
occurred in lower Louisiana, was the careless result of gross negligence, 
and of weak and badly constructed, or caving levees. I am sure that such 
was the case in regard to the Bell and LaBranche crevasses. No Engi- 
neer would risk his reputation by erecting such insignificant banks of 
earth, to resist the pressure of the passage of a boat, on an ordinary canal, 
as are frequently put up as levees on many points of the coast. And yet 
these frail structures, even when partially water soaked, and with the 
water within a few inches of their crests, are expected to resist the abrading 
velocity of the Mississippi currents, with its thousands of boats, aud all the 
wearing eff'ects of the winds and waves. 

To increase the hight, aud prevent the waves from washing over the 
levee in high water, a common practice is, to set a board upon its edge on 



the water side of the crown of the insecure levee, and sustain it in its place 
by pickets driven into the levee itself, and by a few barrows of earth thrown 
against it from behind. Who has not seen the negroes engaged in this 
operation on every plantation where the levees were thought to be inse- 
cure? Besides, look at the weak and irregular trace given to the river 
levees generally. Salient angles are exposed to the direct action of the 
current in a thousand instances ; no prudent steps are taken to drain them 
from behind, nor yet is sufiBcient care taken in their construction and in 
giving them proper dimensions and slopes. 

In short, can any one pretend to assert that our levee system is perfect ? 
or, if we can call it a system at all, that it has ever been thoroughly 
tested ? 

II. Outlets. — Eelative to outlets, it is conceded by all, and can be 
demonstrated in fact by the sections above and below the different 
mouths, that the Mississippi absorbs the Ohio, the St. Francis, White River, 
the Yazoo, the Arkansas, and formerly even the Red River itself, and yet 
is not sensibly widened nor elevated. And why ? 

1st — Because the velocity of the current of the Mississippi is accele- 
rated by the initial impulse given by the accession of each tributary vol- 
ume, and its channel is proportionally deepened. This phenomenon of the 
deepening of the channel of a sedimentary stream, by an increase of vol- 
ume, is so constant in its exhibition, that the inference is irresistable, that it 
is a universal law. 

2d — Because the floods from the lower tributaries have, for the most 
part, passed away before the floods come down from the tributaries above. 
This is one of the beautiful compensating provisions of Nature, regarding 
the Mississippi, that its great tributaries should flow through every variety 
of latitude and climate, in which the melting and breaking up of the ice 
and snow, and the consequent rise of their floods, should occur at different 
seasons. Formerly the floods of the Red and the Arkansas, the most formid- 
able of the lower tributaries, flowing through nearly the same latitude and cli- 
mate, did occasionally meet in coming down and caused the submersion of lower 
Louisiana. Sach an instance occurred in the year 1828, three years before 
Shreve's Cut-off was made, when the Atchafalaya being rafted, Red River 
was a forced and unnatural tributary of the Mississippi. Although unpar- 
alleled in lower Louisiana, the flood of 1828 was not as excessive above 
the mouth of Old River, as the subsequent floods of the years 1849, ^50, 
'51, '58 and 1859. Bat since the Atchafalaya has been opened, so as to 
vent the waters of Red River, the meeting of the floods of the tributaries 
from above has rarely happened. 

Again,* it is demonstrated, on precisely the same principles, that large 
bodies of water may be drawn from the Mississippi at a given point, and 
yet not lower the surface of the water to any appreciable degree below that 

6c B 



42 

point. This was observed to be the case at the Bonnet Carre crevasse in 
1850, as well as at the Bell and LaBranche crevasses in 1858 ; notwith- 
standing that the former has been variously estimated to have discharged 
100,000 cubic feet per second, or about one-tenth of the total discharge of 
the Mississippi, and the Bell crevasse equalled, if it did not exceed, that 
amount. In the latter case, an appreciable fall of the surface water was 
scarcely discernable at New Orleans, and there the water subsequently 
actually rose. Similar results were shown by the other crevasses men- 
tioned, and the fact is of constant exhibition at the mouth of Old River, 
and at the heads of the Plaquemine and the Lafourche. 

The fact that the water is not lowered, is explained by the consideration 
that there is a direct check given to the river current by the suction of the 
outlet, and consequently an immediate deposition of sediment, forming a 
bar immediately below the mouth. This reduces the water section of the 
river, and hence keeps the flood up to its original levels. For no more 
water can pass through the channel, within a given time, than what can 
pass over its shallowest place ; so that it is evident that the deposit caused 
by the outlet itself, will thus modify the bed of the river to correspond to 
the reduced quantity of water, and so keep up the surface elevation. 

The observations made at the time, upon the Bonnet Carre crevasse, 
clearly demonstrated the fact of a deposit being made. The sectional area 
of the river immediately below that crevasse, was found, on measurement 
by Prof. Forshey, to have diminished 75,613 square feet, as compared with 
the section above ; the shoal which had formed having diminished the mean 
depth of the river 12 feet. 

The converse of this shoaling process was also found to be true. For 
when the crevasse had been closed and the levee rebuilt, and when the 
river had regained its velocity at the next high water, new soundings proved 
that the bar immediately below the crevasse had been washed away. Simi- 
lar results were shown by the observations and measurements of Charles 
Ellet, jr.. Civil Engineer, on the same crevasse, one of the ablest advocates 
of the outlet theory. 

The bar which forms in high water, at the head of Bayou Plaquemine, is 
also found to remove and deepen itself to the depth of 11 feet, when the 
surface of the Mississippi falls below the bottom of the bayou, or when no 
water passes through it. So, also, there were immense deposits made in 
front of the city wharves, just below the Bell Crevasse, and which were 
subsequently removed at the return of high water, when the crevasse had 
been closed. 

The same results are shown at the present time, by the immense deposits 
at and below the mouth of Old River, now acting, at all times, as an outlet 
of the Mississippi, and not as the discharge point of Red River, as has been 
shown. The bar extends out into the river for a considerable distance, so 



4^ 

tliafc in ordinary water, on leaving the Red River Landing, to go up stream, 
the boats are compelled to cross to the left bank of the river to find a chan- 
nel of sufficient depth. 

We have the same bars at the head of the Plaquemine and the Lafourche, 
and, as far as our observations have extended, this seems to be the undevi- 
ating and universal result of every crevasse and outlet to the Mississippi. 
That these bars, at the heads of all outlets, should wash out when the 
outlet is closed, is evident from the fact, that the current increases with the 
volume of the water, and, consequently, the abrading power. With this 
increased current abrasion, either the sides or the bottom of the river must ne- 
cessarily yield, so as to compensate for the increased volume. Now, it is 
demonstrated by measurements, from the mouth of the Ohio down, that the 
width of the Mississippi is generally very nearly the same, and that the 
depth of the river gradually increases in the same direction. In fact, the 
Mississippi is frequently called " the river of equal widths." It is, there- 
fore, evident that the abrasion takes place upon the bottom, and not upon the 
sides : or, in other words, that the capacity of the Mississippi results from 
an increase of depth, and not from an increase of width. 

These examples are, perhaps, too few in number to be regarded as entirely 
conclusive; but, as their evidence is all one way, it is entitled to due 
weight, and is preferable to all theories of every kind whatsoever. And, 
from this evidence, the inference is irresistible, that outlets afiford no relief 
to the Mississippi, and, therefore, that they are in no way beneficial to that 
river. 

RECAPITULATION, AS APPLYING TO THE EFFECTS PRODUCED BY THE PRO- 
POSED PLANS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE NAVIGATION OF OLD 
RIVER. 

We are now prepared to examine the effects produced by the adoption of 
either of the proposed plans for the improvement of the navigation of Old 
River, and, through it, to preserve the connection of the Red and Atchafa- 
laya Rivers with the Mississippi. 

In this view of the question, the total closing of the Atchafalaya, by a 
dam across Old River, as proposed by act No. 29, of 1860, and the closing 
of the same river at Simmesport, as proposed in the Special Report of L. 
Hebert, State Engineer, of 1860, may be discussed in the same connection : 
as the ends contemplated in each are the same, and as their effects upon the 
Red and Mississippi Rivers will be exactly similar. 

Let us suppose either of these dams and its wing levees to be built. We 
have then obviously gone back to the very condition in which things stood 
before Shreve's Cut-off was made. We have again forced the Red River to 
be tributary to the Mississippi, and re-closed the Atchafalaya ; only that the 
closing of the latter has been made complete and effectual, totally cutting 



44 

it off from the source of its water supplies, and thoroughly closing its valley 
to the discharge of the waters of Red Eiver and the Mississippi surplus. 

For these very reasons, the back waters from the Mississippi will extend 
further up the Red River and its branches than it has ever done before, and 
they, consequently, will be higher, and will continue to overflow the adja- 
cent country for a longer time and to a greater extent. Although com- 
pletely rafted in the former case, yet the lower levels of the valley of the 
Atchafalaya were still open to the discharge of much of this water, which 
our dam and wing levees now cause to drain unnaturally into the Missis- 
sippi. In thus furnishing navigation to the Red River country, we would 
drown out millions of acres of the lands in the basin of that river, easily sus- 
ceptible of culture under the ordinary means of reclamation. 

The Atchafalaya would be benefitted by these works, as far as the drain- 
age of its lands are concerned ; but its navigation would be impaired at 
once, and would annually deteriorate until, in a short time, it would be 
destroyed altogether. For we never can reimburse this lost supply from the 
Mississippi through the Latanache, on account of the natural causes now at 
work upon the latter, as we have before seen. .Therefore, to give naviga- 
tion to the Red River country, we have destroyed that of the Atchafalaya 
region and the Attakapas, as the only communication of the latter would 
depend upon the high water navigation through Bayou Plaquemine. Even 
this would be destroyed in time, by the accumulation of sedimentary de- 
posits ; because, the closing of its head would convert the Atchafalaya into 
a mere tide-water basin, which, deadening the impinging current of the 
Plaquemine, and so destroying it altogether, would force it to yield up the 
earthy matter held in suspension. 

It may take the Mississippi some years to adjust and accommodate its 
channel to this sudden change of regimen, but I am convinced that it will do 
so eventually, as it has done in the cases of the Ohio, St. Francis, Yazoo, 
and Arkansas, and as it formerly did in the case of this river itself. While 
this adjustment is taking place, hov/ever, and even subsequently, we will 
have to apprehend extreme high waters, from the meeting of the floods of 
the Red River, with thosfe coming down from the Arkansas and the upper 
tributaries. For it is well known that a very inconsiderable stream, sud- 
denly discharging a large volume into a full river, produces a very material 
rise both above and below its mouth. 

What, then, will be the consequences of a great rise in the Red River, 
when the Mississippi is already full from its other sources ? 

If past facts can be relied on, we may safely predict periodical recurrences 
of high water, exceeding the rise of 1828 ; for then the Atchafalaya still 
opened its valley to the escape of much of the surplus. This we have com- 
pletely shut off by our plan of operations, and the Mississippi must be 
depended on alone, without any relief, to carry off these floods from the Red 



\i 



and Arkansas, flowing through similar latitudes and climates. The conse- 
quences will certainly be disastrous in lower Louisiana, if the levees there 
are not high and secure enough to meet the emergency. 

All of these ruinous and destructive consequences are brought upon us, 
for what? 

To secure low-water navigation for one section of the State, to the sub- 
mersion of a large portion of that very section, the destruction of navigation 
to another large and populous section, and the subjection of the whole of 
lower Louisiana to the constant liability to inundation. 

The object gained seems very small, indeed, compared with the immense 
interests sacrificed in attaining it. The cost of these works, besides, is a 
matter of serious consideration, even if they were productive of good, instead 
of evil. Unfortunately this is not the case. 

It was a question of considerable discussion at the time, whether or not 
the State of Louisiana should accept the donation of the Swamp Lands 
offered her by the General Government, the proceeds of the sale of which 
were to be applied to the purposes of leveeing and draining her territory. 

If such works as are here contemplated in Old River, be carried into exe- 
cution, it is very unfortunate indeed, that the councils of those advocating 
the non acceptance of the Public Lands did not prevail. For the fund will 
speedily be exhausted, and, instead of having been a benefit to the State, it 
will only have proven an injury, by supplying means for the construction of 
expensive and destructive works, which, perhaps, would never have been 
contemplated, nor carried into execution, but for this donation. 

Thousands of dollars of this Swamp Land Fund have alread}- been squan- 
dered, and, if the inquiry be made to-day, where are your internal improve- 
ments, your levees and general system of drainage, and other public works 
of the State? what can we candidly answer, or what have we got to show? 
With but rare exceptions, only a few ditches of more than doubtful propriety 
or benefit, and occasional levees, badly constructed, isolated in location, and 
generally put up for sectional objects, without due regard to adjacent inter- 
ests or the requirements of a well-digested plan for the good of the whole. 
Will the staunchest advocate of special legislation — that of looking at the 
general good of the State at large, from the point of view offered by the re- 
quirements of a single parish, and v/hich orders works to be executed with- 
out regard to some general plan or system, and without due investigation 
founded upon the proper preliminary surveys, — -point out anywhere a bene- 
ficial or satisfactory return for the immense sums expended ? 

We have seen that any obstruction placed in the channel, or in the valley 
of the Atchafalaya, is injurious in its consequences as things now stand; and 
hence the partial closing of the head of this river, as proposed by act No. 
30, of 1860, would be detrimental, but only to a very limited degree. This 
work would not affect the Atchafalaya at all, and would scarcely be felt 



46 

upon the Mississippi. At the worst, it would only cause a slight additional 
rise in Red River from back water. 

As the total closing of the Atchafalaya, therefore, is very costly, besides 
being highly improper and destructive from the disastrous consequences of 
inundation resulting from its adoption; and as the partial closing up of the 
mouth of this river, will, at best, only temporarily preserve the low-water 
navigation of Old River, what other method shall we resort to ? 

Must the commerce of the Red and the Atchafalaya Rivers, and the At- 
takapas, be completely isolated from the Mississippi, and the rich products 
of these sections be forced to seek some other market than New Orleans, 
or be subject to all the chance contingencies of high-water navigation alone 
in reaching that mart ? Or can any plan be proposed to permanently im- 
prove the low-water navigation through Old River and keep up this water 
communication ? 

I most decidedly and emphatically answer, that no such improvement can 
be made in Old River. 

The fiat of Nature has gone forth, and the Red and the Atchafalaya 
Rivers, in that sense, are separated forever from the Mississippi, and the 
low-water navigation through Old River, is permanently destroyed beyond 
any lasting amelioration within the powers of man. It is idle longer to turn 
our attention to the improvement of Old River. That has been long past 
permanent remedy, and every year it will grow decidedly worse. Science 
and skill will readily overcome all obstacles physically opposing themselves 
to the execution of any contemplated work, provided no constant law of 
nature is forever acting to destroy the forces put in operation to accomplish 
it. Whenever this is the case, instead of fruitlessly combatting insurmount- 
able difficulties, we must take Nature as our guide, and work with and assist 
her, throwing all our efforts in the same direction. By doing so in the 
present instance, she leads us out of all our troubles, and presents a per- 
manent, practical, and economical plan for accomplishing all of the ends in 
view, and attended, in its operations, by no evil consequences. By working 
against her, as we h^ve seen, we entail on ourselves misery and destruc- 
tion, in the one case, and accomplish nothing lasting or permanent, in the 
other. 

PROPOSED PLAN FOR PERMANENT NAVIGATION, AT ALL STAGES OF WATER, 
BETWEEN THE RED, ATCHAFALAYA, AND MISSISSIPPI RIVERS. 

The plan which I would earnestly recommend to the Board, to the Legis- 
lature, and to the people of Louisiana, for immediate adoption, contemplates 
the complete closing of the mouth of Old River, and the virtual closing of 
the head of Bayou Plaquemine. 

These two outlets are only navigable for a few months in the year, during 
the continuance of high water; and, hence, no one could reasonably desire to 



VJ 



47 

keep tliein open for tliat purpose alone, provided, a mote perfect watei* com-' 
munication be substituted for them, and which will furnish navigation at 
every stage of water. Neither can there be any wish to keep them open as 
outlets ^?e/' se, provided, that it can be proven that their closure will not 
injuriously affect the plantations on the Mississippi below them. 

We have already shown the impracticability of making new outlets, so 
that, in case of closing these in question, we cannot look to that quarter for 
corresponding relief. But it has also been made evident, furthermore, to 
every one not completely stultified by prejudice, that every outlet to the 
Mississippi is to be regarded as an injury, instead of a benefit, as they do 
not sensibly reduce the surface of the water below them, notwithstanding 
the immense amount discharged by them upon the parallel back valley. To 
establish all our premises, therefore, it only remains to be shown that the 
Mississippi has sufficient capacity below the mouth of Old River, to vent the 
waters passing within its banks above that mouth, as it receives no further 
accession below that point. 

It is obvious, in the first place, that during the first subsequent flood, 
when the current shall have attained its high-water velocity, the Mississippi 
will, at once, remove the bars at the heads of Old River and Plaquemine, 
as it formerly removed the shoals below the Bonnet Carre crevasse and from 
the wharves at New Orleans. Having nothing to apprehend from the Red 
River floods to a full river, the dangers arising from high water, like that 
of 1828, will be in a great measure avoided, and the necessity of lateral 
relief to the lower coast will be less urgent. For, if the Mississippi was for- 
merly capable of carrying off all of the waters of Red River, in addition to 
those of its upper tributaries, without generally endangering the coast, we 
are certainly justified in concluding that the danger will be less imminent 
if this source of supply is completely cut off from all connection with that 
river. What the Mississippi does in one instance, it can do in others. If 
the sections above Old River are capable of discharging the waters coming- 
down from above, why not the larger sections below that mouth ? 

Here are the sections of the Mississippi, between banks, in the high water 
of 1850, which no doubt have inconsiderably changed since, but in no way 
to impair the force of the argument : 

Square Feet. 

Below Memphis half a mile 143,212 

At the Horseshoe Cut-off 161,221 

Above the mouth of the Arkansas River three quarters of a mile... 171, 190 
Below the ". '^ " " " " " " ...196,390 

At American Bend, upper side 170,160 

At '< " lower side 187,170 

Terrapin Neck, upper side , 178,220 

" " lower side 168,130 

Above Vicksburg about seven miles 160,164 

" " landing half a mile 177,200 



Below Vicksburg about tbree miles *.... 20?,800 

Above Palmyra Island Bend 187,220 

Below " " " 256,292 

Above G rand Gulf about four miles 175,773 

Below " " " three " ..264,797 

Above the mouth of Old River about half a mile 194,530 

Below " " " one " 268,646 

In the Raccoiirci Cut-off 148,790 

At Tunica Bend.. 283,892 

At Baton Rouge .' 212,500 

Above Plaquemine one and a half miles 181,500 

Below " *' " 199,280 

Above Donaldsonville about one mile 200,250 

Below " " half a mile 214,580 

Bonnet Carre Bend, above the crevasse (high water of 1849) 198,734 

^' " " below " " " " 152,443 

Sauve's Plantation, above " " " " 182,031 

Yv hich gives us the average area of the same high water section 

from Memphis to above the mouth of Old River inclusive 187,467 

The average of the same, from the mouth of Old River down to 

New Orleans, is 199,331 

Or the average section below the mouth of Old River is greater than that 
of the average section above that point. 

Now the general average velocity of the currents of the Mississippi have 
been found to be very nearly uniform from Memphis to New Orleans, 
whence it is conclusive that the discharging capacity of the Mississippi, be- 
low the mouth of Old River, exceeds the discharging capacity of the river 
from Memphis down to that mouth ; and it is hence evident that no danger 
is to be apprehended below that point from the closing of the heads of Old 
River and Bayou Plaquemine. 

It is plain, furthermore, that Old River and Bayou Plaquemine together 
constitute the key to the successful drainage of most all of the country lying 
west of the Mississippi, and hence, if these two outlets are thoroughly 
closed, the reclamation of that entire section becomes of easy accomplish- 
ment. The plan which I propose is as follows : 

1. To hasten the ultimate result by immediately and permanently closing 
the mouth of Old River, at a point two thousand feet from the mouth, with 
a substantial and secure dam, with wing levees extending from its extremi- 
ties to connect with the Mississippi levees both above and below. 

2. To deepen and straighten the channel of Bayou Plaquemine from its 
head to the mouth of Bayou Jacob, a distance of four and a half miles (at 
which point there is thirteen feet of water), and thus convert it into a 
slack-water canal for steamboat navigation, with a depth of nine feet 
throughout. 

3. To place a substantial lock in the head of this canal, securely built of 
brick and erected on a pile foundation, with a combination of cast and 



49 

wrought iron gates ; cliamber to be 280 feet long, with a top width of 80 
feet, batter of walls one half inch to the foot, and fully capable of passing 
the largest steamboat. 

4. To remove all of the rafts, snags, and sunken timber, from the Atcha- 
falaya, lower Grand River, the Tensas, etc., thus opening out the net-work 
of rivers and bayous throughout this region to free navigation in all 
directions. 

It is proposed to make this canal and lock through the Plaquemine, the 
common highway for the Attakapas and the Red River country, as the dis- 
tance to the latter, via the Atchafalaya, is about the same as by way of the 
Mississippi. 

Bayou Cut-off, in the parish of Concordia, was carefully examined with a 
view of making it the communication to the Red River region, by means of 
a similar slack-water navigation through it, but it was found unsuitable for 
the purpose in consequence of the extensive batture forming at its Missis- 
sippi extremity. 

A proper location for such a canal is found a short distance south of 
Bayou Cut-off (see line a, h, on the map D), but it was abandoned on ac- 
count of the cost of excavation ] besides it possesses no advantages over the 
proposed canal through the Plaquemine. In the margin I give the cost of 
its construction, however, for future reference and consideration, should the 
Plaquemine not prove sufficient hereafter for all the commercial wants of an 
increasing population. 

COST OF PLAQUEMINE CANAL AND LOCK. 

Cubic Yards. 

Dam across Old River, crown 50 feet, slope of eight to one 306,666 

Wing levees to connect with Mississippi levees above and below 66,000 



Total cubic yards 372,666 

Which, at 25 cents, amounts to $93,166 50 

Canaling the bottom of Plaquemine to Bayou Jacob, 

width 80 feet at top, slopes one to one, with a 

depth sufficient to give nine feet of water between 

the low water of the Mississippi and the tide plane 

at the former point 530,000 

Which, at 35 cents, amounts to $185,500 00 

Add cost of dam and wing levees as above 93,166 50 



Total cost of excavation and levees $278,666 50 

Tne cost of Canal and Lock, on a line between the Mississippi and Red River, a short distance south of 
Bayou Cut-off, is as follows ; 

Excavatino,- 1.847,930 cubic yards at 35 cents $646,775 50 

Cost of Lock complete 221,333 50 

Total cost on this line $868,109 00 

7 C E 



60 

COST OF LOCK. 

6,890,000 brick, at $12 per thousand '. $ 82,680 00 

Laying same in cement at $8 per thousand 55,120 00 

6,000 piles, 17 feet long, at $1 70 each 10,200 00 

Drivina: same at $1 30 each 7,800 00 

800,000 feet B. M. grillage and lumber at $20 16,000 00 

Framing same at 75 cents per square 6,000 00 

Iron gates and machinery complete 12,000 00 

Coffer-dam, contingencies, superintendence, etc 31,533 50 

Total cost of lock $221,333 50 

RECAPITULATION. 

Total cost of canaling Plaquemine and diking Old River $278,666 50 

Total cost of Lock complete '^, 221,333 50 

Appropriation required $500,000 00 

The estimated cost of this plan of operations may seem large at the first 
special glance, but it will be found in reality to be very economical when we 
come to investigate the importance and general character of the works 
themselves, and the many benefits and advantages resulting from their con- 
struction. In their general character they are essentially works of drainage 
and reclamation, and in consequence they should be constructed out of the 
Swamp Land Fund ; for the same amount of money can be expended in no 
other possible manner to be productive of such vast bfeneficial results. 
What is half a million of dollars to the State of Louisiana ? or the insig- 
nificant cost of these works compared with the great interests at stake, and 
the general good growing out of their execution ? Why the sales of some- 
thing less than half a million of acres of the swamp lands will more than 
suffice to construct them perfectly, whereas they will be the direct cause of 
reclaiming many millions of acres, besides producing other advantages 
equally desirable to the general prosperity and wealth of the State. These 
sales are totally unnecessary, however, as there is in the Treasury at present 
about six hundred thousand dollars to the credit of the Swamp Land Fund, 
which, if not judiciously appropriated for some extensive work for the 
general good of the whole State, like the one proposed, will only invite the 
cupidity of sections, and induce a general scramble for the petty purposes of 
special legislation. 

Let me briefly sum up a few of the general benefits arising from the 
adoption of this proposed plan : 

We secure, in the first place, by its adoption, the great object in view — 
permanent low water navigation at all seasons to the trade, commerce and 
products of the Red River, Atchafalaya, and Attakapas, which desideratum 
we can attain in no other possible way ; for it must be distinctly understood 



81 

that nothing else can be done to afford permanent low water navigation be- 
tween the Red and the Atchafalaya and the Mississippi, and also that, from 
the present condition of things at Old River, we must in addition suffer all 
the evil consequences of annual inundation on the former, without any cor- 
responding benefit of any kind whatsoever. 

The Red River will cut away and remove the deposits at its present 
mouth, and will flow quietly down the Atchafalaya at an increased velocity 
and without back waters, preparing the way for the reclamation of all of the 
low lands upon their borders and upon those of their branches. The high 
water marks of all these streams will be reduced several feet. 

The great net-work of bayous, tensas, and shallow lakes, in and near the 
mouth of the Atchafalaya, now subject to annual rafting from the drift 
through the Plaquemine, can all be permanently opened out and rendered 
navigable in every direction, which in itself will do much for the drainage 
of that part of the State. 

Millions of acres of land, now submerged and unfit for cultivation, on the 
Red, Black, Ouachita, Tensas and Little Rivers, and their numerous branches, 
and on the Atchafalaya and in the Attakapas, can immediately be reclaimed 
and brought under culture, inducing immigration and increasing the wealth 
and population of Louisiana, New Orleans will continue to be, as now, the 
great commercial center for the produce of this extensive region, which 
otherwise she will soon lose. 

In short, the interests of no section of the State are threatened by the 
execution of this project, and it therefore cannot be odious; but, on the 
contrary, it promotes the interests of almost every section, and consequently 
commends itself to their united exertions to carry it into execution. It is 
economical in regard to its original cost, when we examine the benefits 
resulting from it, and it will require from its permanency but little expendi- 
ture to keep it in successful operation. 

The time has come to take a broader and more liberal view of the common 
necessities of Louisiana, and to place ber levees and other public works on a 
firmer basis than heretofore, under the fostering care and protection of the 
State herself, not leaving them, as now, to the carelessness of individuals or 
parishes, to drown out the richest and most populous portions of the country. 
By a proper administration and management of the Swamp Land Fund ac- 
cruing from the sale of even the balance of the lands still owned by the 
State, every foot of her territory may be reclaimed and brought under culti- 
vation, and our levees be placed in such a secure condition as to defy any- 
thing like the floods hitherto known within the memory of man. Under 
the State Grovernment the levee system can be thoroughly perfected and 
tested. As it is, it is not a system, but subject everywhere to the fancy 
and caprice of individual proprietors and parishes. 

Why, look at it. The very /act of closing the mouths of Old River and 



52 

Bayou Plaquemine reduces at once the dimensions of all the levees on the 
Red, Black, Tensas, Ouachita, Little River, Atchafalaya, Courtableau, Four- 
doche, Grrosse Tete, Grrand River, and many others, if, indeed, we do not by 
these works obviate the necessity of constructing them at all on many of 
these streams and their branches. This embraces a very large part of the 
entire State. The problem is of easy solution to thoroughly perfect the 
levees in the western and southwestern portions of the State and in the 
Florida parishes. The southern parishes can be reclaimed by the judicious 
location of a few main drainage canals, after which the leveeing required 
will be very simple of construction. 

The problem is then narrowed down to perfecting the levees upon the 
Mississippi. This science, skill and intelligence can accomplish, and we 
then shall have made Louisiana what she ought to be — the richest and most 
productive agricultural territory of all the cotton-growing States 

Fully trusting that the Board will entirely concur in the plan here pro- 
posed, and in view of the importance of the subject and the vast general 
interests involved, see the necessity of strenuously urging its adoption by 
the next Legislature ; and with the hope that foredrawn conclusions and 
misconceptions, arising from prejudice or lack of due investigation, for or against 
the closing of the Plaquemine, outlets, and other kindred subjects which 
have frequently been before the Legislature and the people of the State, 
may for once be laid aside for the general good of the State at large, I sub- 
mit this question to that serious attention and calm consideration which its 
importance demands. 

Detailed drawings of the proposed canal and lock are submitted herewith. 

STATEMENT OP FUNDS. 

Sales of two horses, and one wagon and harness, turned over by • 

L. Hebert, State Engineer $ 272 50 

Expended 54 80 

In Bank to credit of Board S 217 70 

In Treasury, January 1st, 1860, of appropriation of act No. 262 

of 1859 , $33,616 15 

Warrants drawn on same during the year 922 57 

In Treasury, balance available $82,693 58 



I 



53 

RIGOLETS CANAL-PARISH OF JEFFERSON. 

Act No. 63, of 1859. — The contract for this canal was made by L. 
Caldwell, Swamp Land Commissioner of the Second District, with J. H. 
Harvey, of the parish of Jefferson, at the rate of twenty-three and three- 
quarter cents per cubic yard; but the work had not been commenced at the 
time it was turned over to the Board of Public Works. 

The length of the canal is 11,000 feet, and it connects the waters of 
Bayous Rigolets and St. Dennis, thus avoiding the long detour through 
Little Lake. Its depth is five feet, and its width thirty-five feet, requiring 
the excavation of 71,296 cubic yards of open prairie, or salt marsh. This, 
at the contract rates of 23 1 cents per cubic yard, amounts to $16,932 80. 
As this sum exceeds the amount apppropriated, I was directed by the Board 
to see Mr. Harvey, and endeavor to get him to enter into a written agree- 
ment to execute the work for the amount of the appropriation — $15,000 ; 
or otherwise, the Board would be under the imperative necessity of discon- 
tinuing the work and annulling the contract, under the provisions of sec- 
tion 18, of act No. 279, of 1859, establishing the Board of Public Works. 
Accordingly, I visited the site of the proposed canal with Mr. Harvey, and 
after due deliberation, he entered into the following agreement : 

Barataria Plantation, March 21, 1860. 

I hereby stipulate and agree with J. K. Duncan, Chief Engineer, acting 
for and in behalf of the Board of Public Works, that whereas, the appro- 
priation of fifteen thousand dollars, ($15,000,) is not sufiScient to make the 
Rigolets and Bayou St. J)ennis cut off, in the parish of Jefferson, under my 
bid per cubic yard, that I will do all of the work specified in my contract 
with Lafayette Caldw^ell, late Second Swamp Land Commissioner, viz.: a 
canal eleven thousand feet (11,000 feet) in length, thirty-five feet wude, and 
five feet deep, for the sum appropriated, viz.: fifteen thousand dollars. 
(115,000.) 

Signed, J. H. HARVEY. 

Witness, William B. BERTHorn. 

Shortly thereafter, Mr. Harvey commenced operations on this canal, with 
a dredge boat, and he has since satisfactorily completed his contract in every 
particular. To some extent, this canal will facilitate the drainage of the 
waters coming through Bayous Rigolets and Pierrot, by affording a direct 
outlet to Bayou St. Dennis ; but its greatest advantage is to shorten the 
navigation to Barataria Bay by some ten or twelve miles, besides enabling 
boats to avoid the shallow water in Little Lake. 

Statement of Funds. 

Amount of appropriation $16,000 

Paid to contractor 15,000 



54 

MAPS AND PROFILES OF STATE RAILROADS. 

Ad No. 106, of 1859. — Agreeably to the instructions of the Board, and 
In accordance with the provisions of the foregoing act, I addressed a circular 
letter to the Presidents of the several railroads of which the State is a stock- 
holder, requesting them to transmit maps of their respective roads, with 
the profiles of the surveys of the same, as required by the said act. I regret 
to state that, up to this date, the law has not been complied with by either of 
these roads, and that Wm. G. Hewes, Esq., President of the New Orleans, 
Opelousas and Great Western Railroad, is the only one of those gentle- 
men who deemed the subject of sufficient importance to reply to the circular. 
Mr. Hewes stated that plans and profiles of his road would be sent as soon 
as they could be prepared. As there is no penalty attached to a non-com- 
pliance with the act, it will necessarily have to be considered void, until 
the Legislature deems it expedient to enact something more stringent. 

The profiles and levels of these roads are of considerable importance, as 
a source of reference and comparison, and should, by all means, be filed 
with the archives of the Engineer's Department of the State. 



TECHE LOCK-ST. MARTmSVILLE. 

Ad No. 123 of 1859. — On the 16th of January, the works ia progress 
for the construction of the Teche Lock were suspended for the following 
reasons : 

1. The site of the lock had not been ceded to the State — the title being 
slill vested in the original proprietors ; which fact might have subjected the 
State, at any time, to serious loss and delay by injunction. 

2. Because no plans nor specifications had been prepared for the lock, 
the Superintendent having been furnished with verbal instructions only^ 
which were deemed insufficient for a work of the importance and character 
of this. 

3. Because the brick furnished for the construction of the lock were 
totally unfit for any portion of the structure ; besides, the contracts for other 
materials required them to be paid for immediatelji on delivery, after which 
payments, the balance of the appropriations available, were too small to 
justify the organization of a force for the further progress of the work. 

4. From the questionable propriety of the location of the lock, as boats 
can at all times go above St. Martinsville, when they can reach that point • 
and hence, by the location, a portion of the Teche is improved which needs 
no such improvement by lockage, at the expense of an increased lift to back 
the waters sufficiently to reach that part of the bayou where the improve 
ment is necessary. 



H 



I 



65 

5. The works were suspended for the reason that neither the spirit nor 
the letter of the acts relating to this work were complied with. For act 
No. 97, of 1855, orders a survey of the Tdche to be made from Franklin to 
its junction with the Courtableau, in the parish of St. Landry, with direct 
reference to so improving this stream as to secure steamboat navigation be- 
tween those points at the lowest stage of water. The special report of L. 
Hebert, State Engineer, of February 5th, 1856, gives the result of this 
survey. 

By act No. 215, of 1857, an appropriation was made for the construction 
of a lock, and its position located at a point near St. Martinsville. This 
act was based upon the special report before referred to ; and it is to be pre- 
sumed that it fully sets forth the objects to be secured. From the preamble 
to this act it is apparent that the intention of the Legislature was to secure 
^' a good slack water navigation of the Bayou Teche, from the Courtableu, 
in the parish of St. Landry, to Berwick's Bay, near Franklin, passing 
through four of the principal parishes of the State." 

Now, by referring to the special report, and more particularly to the map 
and profile of the survey on file in this office, we find that the Teche was 
only surveyed from its junction with Bayou Fusilier, to a short distance be- 
low New Iberia. No connection appears to have been made with the water 
levels of the Courtableau, and, as far as it can be ascertained from his report 
no idea of such a connection was entertained by Mr. Brent, Assistant En- 
gineer, wl made the survey. Hence, it is evident that the design of the 
Engineer and the intention of the Legislature are at variance. 

But Mr. Brent furthermore reports, that he found it impossible, even with 
his skifi's, to proceed up the Teche as far as the Fusilier, for lack of water; 
stating, however, that the season was unprecedentedly dry. From the 
known character of this stream, and the assurances given in regard to it by 
many gentlemen perfectly familiar with its habits at all seasons, we may 
safely state its condition to be very nearly the same in every other year, 
very wet seasons excepted, as that reported by Mr. Brent in the summer of 
1855. In consequence, Mr. Brent reports that he found it impossible to 
obtain any reliable data upon which to base an estimate of the amount of 
feed water which could be obtained. In fact, this is the great difliculty in 
the problem of improving the Teche by lockage; as in the summer, during 
the very time that our lock is required for low-water navigation, no depen- 
dance is to be placed upon the water supply which is to feed our lock, and 
so facilitate our operations. Without such a source of supply, the lock in 
contemplation would prove a Avretched failure for all the objects of low. 
water navigation. 

The inference to be drawn from Mr. Brent's report is, that no such supply 
was found in the summer of 1855 as to justify the construction of a lock, 
without further investigation and surveys than were then made ; and as the 



Be 

habits of this bayou are very similar for every year, the same thing holds 
good for the present. 

The Tdche formerly tapped the Courtableau, but this source has been cut 
off by a dyke across its head at their junction. The small region otherwise 
drained by the T^che, is too limited to be counted upon with any degree of 
certainty, except in wet seaspns, and our proposed lock must be certain in 
its operations, and not be made to depend upon extraordinary contin- 
gencies. 

Ill view of the foregoing facts, Mr. von Hippel, Assistant Engineer, was 
directed to connect the previous levels taken with the water levels of the 
Courtableau, as well as with those of the Atchafalaya River, at the mouth 
of that bayou. He was also directed to examine the Bayous Portage, 
Fourdoche and Fourche — branches of the Atchafalaya — with a view of 
obtaining a supply in that direction ; upon which supply the practicability 
or impracticability of improving the Teche, by lockage, entirely depends. 
The report of Mr. von Hippel, which follows herewith, exhibits the follow- 
ing facts: 

1. That the Courtableau is not capable of affording the requisite supply 
during low stages of water, when alone it is necessary ; and secondly, that 
a supply cannot be had from either of the Bayous Portage, Fourdoche or 
Fourche, because their water levels are seven feet below that of the Teche; 
and hence, if a connecting canal were made, the upper Teche would flow 
in that direction, instead of receiving a supply. 

In view of the foregoing, together with the fact that the Teche has not 
the requisite amount of water within itself during low stages, I am com- 
pelled to pronounce against the practicability of improving this bayou by 
lockage, as no low w'uter feed supply can be obtained in any direction ; and 
hence, the construction of a lock would only prove a complete failure. 

I would, therefore, recommend the abandonment of this project, and the 
sale of the material on hand at public auction. Maps and profiles of the 
several surveys are on file in this office. 

Statement of Funds. 

Received from L. Hebert, State Engineer $4,053 14 

" the agents of State Engineer at St. Martinsville . 1,043 02 

" J. H. Reid, Superintendent 25 02 

" sale of woi'thless brick 443 75 

Total $6,164 93 

Expended of same upon vouchers 2,745 93 

In Bank, to credit of Board $3,419 00 

In Treasury and available, January 1, I860 $7,750 00 

Paid to contractors for material 6,291 26 

Balance in Treasury $1,458 74 



67 

The following ia Mr. von HippePs report : 

Engineer's Office, Board of Public Works, ) 
Baton Rouge. La., December 26, 1860. j 

Sir — In accordance with your order of November 21, 1860, I proceeded 
to Arnandville, which is a very small town at the junction of Bayous Teche 
and Fusilier. I was unable to find any benchmark of the previous survey 
in the field-notes, or on any map, therefore I established one on the north- 
eastern corner of the bridge across the Bayou Teche, the position of which 
is fully shown on the map and profile. 

From this point I prosecuted the survey towards the junction of the 
Courtablcau and Atchafalaya, but saw immediately that the whole fall of 
the country is towards the Atchafalaya. Nevertheless, I continued the 
work until I reached Bayou Portage, a distance of four and one half miles 
from the initial point, and found a fall of seven feet between the water 
levels. After such a proof, I discontinued the survey in that direction, as 
it was clearly impossible to obtain a supply of water from this source. 

Proceeding, according to my orders, I then made a survey of the 
Teche, to its junction with the Courtableau, and took levels verj'- carefully 
throuo'hout its course. 

O 

These surveys and levels have developed the fact that it is impossible to 
obtain any supply from the Courtableau, except during high water. 

About a mile from the Courtableau, opposite the mouth of the Bayou 
Toulouse, there is a high point in the Teche, from which, during the low 
water season, the current flows in both directions. 

Bayou Courtableau, in dry seasons, has not water sufiicient for its own 
requirements. 

The accompanying map and profiles will show these facts fully. 
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

M. V. HIPPEL, Assistant Engineer. 

J. K. Duncan, Esq., Chief Engineer. 



COUSHATTA CHUTE-PARISHES OF NATCHITOCHES AND 

BIENVILLE. 

Act No. 149, 0/ 1859. — This act appropriates eleven thousand dollars 
for the completion of the works commenced upon Coushatta Chute, and 
contracted for by T. P. Hotchkiss, Commissioner of the Third Swamp Land 
District, with Benjamin Ray, of the Parish of Ouachita. 

On the 15th of September, these works were accepted and reported 
complete, according to contract, by Messrs. P. A. Morse, A. W. Baird and 

8 C E 



68 

Madison Carrol, Special Inspecting Commissionere, appointed by G. L. 
DeRussy, Commissioner of the Board of Public Works, who also recom- 
mended that the balance of the appropriation be paid to the Contractor; 
and furthermore, that an additional appropriation of $3,784 20, be called 
for by the Board, for the payment of 13,515 cubic yards of excavation 
which was not covered by the original appropriation. 

F. H. Farrar; Assistant Engineer, was sent to inspect and receive this 
work on the 11th of September, but owing to the want of proper informa- 
tion and data to work upon, in consequence of the failure of the Commis- 
sioner of the Third Swamp Land District to turn over to the Board the 
maps and profile of the works in progress in his district, Mr. Farrar was 
unable to estimate accurately the amount of work done. He reported the 
completion of the work in every particular, however, excepting that the 
earth was not removed ten feet from the ditches as called for by the con- 
tract. On these reports accordingly, Mr. Ray was paid the balance of the 
original appropriation. I shall be able to lay this subject fully before the 
Board, on the arrival of Mr. Bennett, Assistant Engineer, who has suc- 
ceeded in obtaining the profile of the work in question, from which the 
total amount of work can be accurately estimated, when the propriety of 
the foregoing recommendation of the Special Commissioners in regard to 
an additional appropriation can be ascertained. 

Statement of Funds. 

Amount of Appropriation $11,000 00 

Paid to Contractor $10,906 50 

Survevs and Inspections 93 50 

$11,000 00 

Appropriation exhausted. 



RED RIVER LEVEES, RIGHT BANK-PARISHES OF RAPIDES 

AND AVOYELLES. 

Ad No. 192, of 1859. — By this act twenty-nine thousand dollars is ap- 
propriated for the purpose of continuing the levee down the right bank of 
Red River, from its terminus, on the plantation of Capt. Wilson, in the 
parish of Rapides, as far as the appropriation proves available. 

The contract for this work was made between T. P. Hotchkiss, Com- 
missioner Third Swamp Land District, and Thomas J. Stafford, of Rapides 
parish, at various rates per cubic yard for the diff'erent portions of the 
same, or for the sum of $19,500 for the whole levee, which is something 
over five miles in length. 

Mr. Stafibrd is rapidly pushing forward this work towards a final com- 
pletion of his contract, and in a satisfactory and workmanlike manner. 



V 



69 

Statement of Funds. 

Balance in Treasury and available January 1st, 1860 ^20,000 00 

Paid to Contractor 10,383 40 

Balance in Treasury $9,666 «0 



BONNET CARRE LEVEE-PARISH OF ST. JOHN. 

Act jSfo. 203 of 1859. — The contract for this work was made by A. Du- 
plantier, Swamp Land Commissioner of the First District, with Mathew 
Carr, of Concordia parish, at the rate of thirty-five cents per cubic yard. 

After due inspection and measurement, the levee was accepted upon 
completion, and a final settlement made with the Contractor as follows : 
Total contents of the levee, 97,603-84 cubic yards, which 

at 35 cents, amounts to $34,161 34 

Previously paid by the Swamp Land Commissioner 321,000 00 

Paid by the Board of Public Works 13,161 34 

134,161 34 

Statement of Funds. 

In Treasury and available, January 1st, 1860 813,700 00 

Paid Mr. Carr, Contractor 13,161 34 

Balance in Treasury $538 66 

Agreeably to the petition of certain small planters residing in the neigh- 
borhood of this levee, an instrumental examination was made of the levee 
from the lower line of Mr. Norbert Longue's plantation to the upper line of 
Messrs. Boligny & Gauncheau. This levee was found in many places not 
to be high enough by two feet, and its water or river slope throughout Us 
entire length, is very considerably damaged. To build this levee to the 
bight asked for in the petition, will require 34,926 cubic yards of earth 

which, at 25 cents will cost 18,731 50 

Contingencies and Surveys 368 50 

Appropriation required $9,100 00 



60 
TIDE WATER LEVEE-PARISH OF PLAQUEMINES. 

Act No. 204, of 1859. — This work was contracted for by A. Duplantier, 
Commissioner First Swamp Land District, with G. P. Ayer, of the parish 
of Plaquemines, at the rate of fourteen cents per cubic yard. 

The levee was originally laid out to commence at the lower line of Dr. 
Wilkinson's plantation, and thence to extend in a north-westerly direction 
for the distance of 15.49 miles, with a base of twelve feet, hight 4.5 feet, 
and a crown of three feet wide, containing in all 102,234 cubic yards. It 
was designed as a protection to the back lands of the river plantations, 
against the overflows of the gulf waters during storms or high tides. 

As these plantations extend back to very different depths, and are all 
provided with side levees, running back perpendicular to the river to em- 
brace the lands under cultivation, the original location of the levee was 
changed by Messrs. G. P. Ayer, Edmund Martin, and R. A. Wilkinson, 
Special Commissioners appointed by the foregoing act, and the following 
was substituted therefor, viz : 

Not to make the levee continuous, but to construct it on a broken line, 
in parallel courses, so as to close the rear gorges between the side levees of 
all the plantations throughout the contracted distance, the various sections 
of it being nearer, or more remote from the river according to the depths 
of the several plantations. 

Mr. D. Urquhart enclosed the rear of his plantation with a private levee, 
at his own expense, and as his place is included in the total distance con- 
tracted for, this private levee should be deducted from Mr. Ayer's contract, 
at the same dimensions and rates, and paid over to Mr. Urquhart. The 
line across the rear of his plantation is 7,590 feet in length, and conse- 
quently the number of cubic yards to be deducted for the same, at contract, 
dimensions, is 9,487 . 50, which at fourteen cents per cubic yard amounts 
to $1,328 25. Mr. Ayer has, in all other respects, faithfully complied 
with his contract. 

Considerable damage was done to this levee by the storm of August last, 
which rendered it very uneven on top, and caused the greater portion of 
it to settle one and a half feet below the established grade line. 

It will never fulfill the intention of its original design during the pre- 
valence of such storms as the one referred to, as the water from the gulf 
swept over the levee at that time, at an average depth of about seven and 
a half feet. 

Statement of Funds. 

In Treasury and available, January 1st, 1860 $12,654 60 

Paid G. P. Ayer, Contractor $9,620 64 

Inspection and Survey 53 11 9,073 75 

Balance in Treasury.,., ., ...,,» $2,880 85 



61 

BAYOUS CASTOR AND DDGDEMONA-PARISIIES OF CATAHOULA, 

CALDWELL AND WINN. 

Joint Resolution JVo. 22, of 1860. — M. von Hippel, Assistant Eugineer, 
was directed to make the surveys called for in the foregoing act, and hi.s 
report thereon follows herewith. 

The act contemplates the more rapid discharge of the surface waters, by 
removing the standing and fallen timbers from the channels of the bayous 
in question. It appears, however, that there is but little or no timber 
obstructions in these bayous, and hence our attention must be directed to 
other means of perfecting the drainage of the lands upon their borders. 

M. von Hippel's map and report clearly show, however, that the small 
amount of bottom land to be drained, is very much cut up by the tortuous 
meanderings of the bayous themselves, and by the salient spurs of the 
pine ridges which frequently project into the valleys. These valleys do 
not average three quarters of a mile in width, and it hence would be 
absurd to course the banks of these bayous with levees, whereas at the 
same time it is not at all evident that a levee protection is required. All 
that is requisite to be done, is to provide for the easy discharge of the 
surface waters from the adjacent hills, which is a subject for the considera- 
tion of the planters themselves, and not for the State. Levees would only 
impede this discharge, instead of assisting it. 

The accompanying map fully exhibits the character of the country in a 
topographical point of view, and it also shows the extent and location of 
all the swamp lands upon the Castor and Dugdemona. 

M. von Hippel's report is as follows : 

Engineer's Office, Board of Public Worxs, ) 
Baton Rouge, La., November 21, 1860. J 

Sir — In accordance with your orders of October 6th, to make a survey 
of the swamp lands along the Bayous Castor and Dugdemona, in the 
parishes of Catahoula, Winn and Caldwell, as required by act No. 22, of 
1860, and to report as to the best means of reclaiming them, I left Baton 
Rouge with my party, October 24th, and arrived November the 1st at the 
mouth of those two bayous, which unite and form Little River. The next 
day after my arrival, I commenced the survey and found, after two days 
field-work, that it was impossible to protect these lands against overflow 
by means of levees, for the following reasons : 

The swamp lands are located in a narrow valley, seldom reaching a 
width of three-quarters of a mile, skirted by unproductive pine hills, and 
the bayou crossing and re-crossing from one side of the valley to the other, 
so dividing the land into small parcels. To protect these small parcels, it 
would be necessary to build a very long levee (as the accompanying map 



62 

shows), which would cost more than the land is worth. Furthermore, 
these small parcels of land would be made still smaller in a great many 
places, as the levees could not always be located near the water courses 
to secure permanence. 

A second, and the most important reason why levees are out of the 
question is, that the rain water which runs from the adjacent hills to the 
bayous would be arrested, and very soon form lagoons behind them. The 
quantity of water which comes from these hills, I had an opportunity of 
observing myself, as we had in the night of the 4th of JSTovember, a heavy 
rain of five hours duration, which caused the bayous to rise two feet and 
eight inches in ten hours. Not finding an outlet all that water would have 
collected behind the levees. 

After making these observations I discontinued the survey and made a 
reconnoissance of the bottom lands above. I found the characteristics of 
the valleys remained the same throughout. My opinion, and that of some 
of the settlers along these bayous, who are interested in the improvement, 
is that the lands can onlj'' be made more valuable by direct drainage into 
the bayous by canals, which must be done by the land owners themselves, 
and which will not cost much labor or money. The State can do nothing 
there, as the object is too small to introduce a system of drainage. 

Very respectfully, your ob't ser't, 

J. K. Duncan, M. v. HIPPEL, 

Chief Engineer, Present. Assistant Engineer. 



COWHEAD BAYOU, DIKE AND CANAL BETWEEN COWHEAD 
AND MUSCLE BAYOUS-PARISH OF POINTE COUPEE. 

Act N'o. 23, of 1860. — Agreeably to the requirements of this act, I 
visited the foregoing works aiid found that the dike across the mouth of 
Bayou Cowhead had caved in to a considerable extent, partially clos- 
ing up the mouth of its brick culvert, and damaging the gate at the other 
end. Under the directions of L. Caldwell, Swamp Land Commissioner of 
the Second District, this culvert was completely closed in last year. 

I would recommend that this culvert be put in working order, and that 
the dike be repaired, as the high waters from the Atchafalaya will rise 
through Bayou Cowhead and overflow the lands back of the levees if this 
is not done. The culvert requires to be lengthened 16 feet at its head, 
and to have the gate repaired and a tail apron constructed at its mouth to 
prevent the w^t^r from und^rmioipg the dike »» heretofore, 



68 

ESTIMATE FOR SAMK. 

Embankment, 1,091 cub. yards at 30 cents . 4 ..*... . ..$327 80 

Kepairing culvert, 10,000 brick at ^30 per m 300 00 

Repairing gate and constructing apron 100 00 

Contingencies and inspections 72 70 

Appropriation required $800 00 

The entire system of drainage adopted for the left or eastern bank of the 
Atchafalaya River, is very injudicious and defective, and greatly preju- 
dicial to the interests of that section of the State. The angle of country 
lying between the Atchafalaya and the Mississippi Rivers is naturally 
drained by a series of bayous which formerly discharged into the Atchafa- 
laya. Owing to the overflow of the back country by the flood-waters of 
the Atchafalaya through these bayous, their mouths have all been dammed 
up and the levees extended around to meet the levees of Old River and 
the Mississippi. The Couteau, Moreau, Marine, Lake, Anderson's, Latc- 
nache, Warden's, and Cowhead Bayous have all been closed in this 
manner. Culverts were only placed in the dikes across the mouths of the 
Latanache and Cowhead, but as these had been badly constructed in the 
first place, without discharging aprons to prevent the falling water from 
undermining and washing the dikes, they were closed in by the order of 
Mr. Caldwell to prevent that dangerous action. In consequence, there is 
no discharge of the surface waters accumulating in these natural drains, 
except what escapes by transpiration and evaporation. Had culverts been 
properly constructed in all of these dikes originally, with self-adjusting 
gates and discharging aprons, all of the standing waters in the bayous 
would have been carried off by the action of the culverts themselves, as 
the water fell in the Atchafalaya. This would have been practical, sim- 
ple, and economical. Instead of this, however, the following plan was 
adopted to get rid of these surface waters : 

This was to open the cross sloughs connecting the several bayous with 
each other, so that the drainage of the upper portion of the angle betv/een 
the Atchafalaya and the Mississippi, was thrown into the next lower 
bayou, and these again combined were throw^u successively upon the next, 
and so on, until the accumulation of water became too great for the single 
discharging capacity of either of the lower bayous. Instead, therefore, of 
draining the country in question, these works only cause the overflow of 
certain portions of it by concentration. 

In the foregoing manner it was designed to connect Bayou Moreau with 
the Latanache, and this latter with Bayou Cowhead through Flat Bayou, 
aofain discharp-ins: these combined waters from the Cowhead into Muscle 
Bayou through Boggy and Johnson's Bayous. Beyond this latter point, 



64 

these waters afe carried forward in a similar manner, generally parallel 
to the Atchafalaya, through Muscle Bayou to its forks, whence a portion 
of it is discharged through Sherman's Bayou into the Atchafalaya, while 
the balance of it passes through Bayou Geronce, and is finally discharged 
over the flat country bordering upon Bayou Alabama. This is illustrated 
by the accompanying map. 

Great expense was thus incurred for the improper purpose of accumula- 
ting all of the drainage and surface waters of these several streams, to the 
inundation of the parallel back valley of the Atchafalaya in rainy seasons, 
in consequence of the lack of capacity of the lower bayous to discharge 
the whole, although amply sufficient for the natural drainage of their own 
proper sections. This plan was only partially carried out as designed, 
however, owing to the imperfection of the works themselves. These con- 
necting sloughs are mere coulees without any natural drainage capacity, 
and little or nothing was done to increase this, excepting to cut down the 
trees upon their banks and to remove the fallen timber from their channels. 
Thus Flat Bayou, the connection between the Latanache and Cowhead, is 
still in a state of nature, full of stumps, logs, and cypress knees. In Boggy 
Bayou the fallen timber was removed from its channel, but no excavation 
was made to connect it with Johnson's Bayou, This was necessary, how- 
ever, as there is a ridge between the two, the latter flowing originally into 
Muscle Bayou, while the former discharged into Bayou Cowhead. 
Johnson's and Boggy Bayous together form the canal referred to in the 
foregoing act, and to enable them to carry oif the water from above into 
Muscle Bayou, a considerable amount of excavation must be made in their 
channels. A limited amount of labor was expended in deepening Johnson's 
Bayou, but not sufficient to fulfill the general design of the draining plan. 
The amount of excavation which should still be done to enable these bayous 
to perform the work required of them under Mr. Caldwell's plan, is 19,G68 

cubic yards, which, at 25 cents per cubic yard, amounts to $4,917 00 

Contingencies and inspections 183 00 

Total required. . . .' $5,100 00 

1 would not recommend the execution of this work, however, for the 
reasons before given. The proper plan to draw off the surface water 
accumulating in these several bayous by drainage, is to place suitable 
culverts through all the dikes opening into the Atchafalaya through 
which the water will drain freely as the high waters of the river recede. 
Whatever else may be done now, we will, nevertheless, have to come to 
this ultimately. Besides, if Old River is closed according to a previous 
recommendation in this report, better facilities will be afforded for this 
drainage, as the rise in the Atchafalaya will not reach its present high 



V 



65 

water mark by several feet. Should it be deemed advisable to execute 
both of these works, however, the appropriation required will be as follows: 

Cowhead dike and culvert ^ 800 00 

Johnson's Bayou '//'' 5^100 00 

Aggregate. 35,900 00 

The first work is absolutely required, and should be constructed as early 
as practicable. 



CAT ISLAND LEYEE-PARISH OF WEST FELICIANA. 

Act JVo. 32, of 1860. — In accordance with the provisions of this act, J. 
M. Searles, xissistant Engineer, was directed to make the necessary surveys 
required to determine the character and extent of the repairs called for upon 
the levees of Cat Island. His estimates for the same, are fully stated in his 
report which follows ; and the maps and profiles on file in this office, exhibit 
the location of the new levee, together with its slopes and dimensions, and 
that of the levees to be repaired. 

Whether an appropriation be recommended for the construction of these 
levees, or not, will depend entirely upon the views entertained by the Board 
npon the subject. 

Engineer's Office, Board of Public Works, } 
Baton Rouge, La., Maj loth. 3860. j 

Sir — Agreeably with your instructions of the 9th ultimo, I repaired to 
Cat Island, in the parish of West Feliciana, after a few days delay at Baton 
Rouge, consequent upon obtaining all necessary field equipment, and exe- 
cuted the work contemplated in Joint Resolution, No. 32, of the late 
General Assembly, and quoted in your letter ot instructions. 

On learning, from several planters, of the security of the levees above 
Tunica Island to the Tunica Hills, I began my survey at a short distance 
above the lower line of Wm. H. Barrow's plantation, and extended it to an 
intersection with what is known as the Bayou Sara levee. This levee was 
built under my superintendence, and having noted the necessary work to be 
done on it, I considered it unnecessary to extend my operations farther. 

The levees along the boundaries of Cat Island, with the exception of that 
bordering on the Bayou Sara Creek, are below high water mark, and are 
built, generally, of very fine, loose sand. The caving of the river bank, at 
many places, is encroaching very rapidly on the levee, and I was induced, 
by this circumstance, to locate an entire new line for the distance of about 
two (2) miles, as shown on accompanying map. 

9 C E 



66 

There will be two main drainage points on tlie Island, after the levees 
shall have been rebuilt ; one at Hardwick's Ditch, and the other on the 
Bayou Sara Levee — about one quarter of a mile above the Mississippi River 
Levee. 

At the former place, an embankment was constructed two years ago, and 
two iron boiler culverts, each two hundred (200) feet in length, and forty- 
two (42) inches in diameter, were placed at the same point. At the latter 
place, a gap of five hundred (500) feet was purposely left, for the placing 
of culverts therein. 

The culvert work which was begun at Hardwick's Ditch, was left un- 
completed. The doors were never hung on the culverts, and no apron was 
constructed to receive the discharged water : in consequence of this neglect, 
the force of the water, in falling from the mouths of the culverts, has a con- 
tinual tendency to undermine the embankment, and if this is not soon 
remedied, a complete destruction of the whole embankment will ultimately 
ensue. 

You will notice below, the number of cubic yards of earth required to re- 
build the levees, the necessay work to be done on the culverts, and the esti- 
mated price of the whole : 

Levee Worh. 

Number of Cubic Yards. Contract Price. Estimate. 

196,132 97-100 ...22 cents... ...$43,149 25 

Additional Worh on Culverts at Hardicich's Ditch. 

80 Piles, 1 foot square and 20 feet long, at $7 20-100 $ 576 00 

18,118 feet of sheeting, 2 inches thick, at $30 per thousand feet, 543 54 

Nails, Pile Caps, etc., 10 per cent of the whole amount Ill 95 

Contract price (materials furnished) 2000 00 

$3231 49 

One Iron Boiler Culvert, at the gap in the Bayou Sara Levee, 75 

feet long and 42 inches diameter.. $600 00 

Doors and other appurtenances 200 00 

Hauling of Boiler 150 00 

$950 00 

Total Cost of rebuilding Levees and Culverts $47,830 74 

Very respectfully, your ob't. serv't., 

JAMES M. SEARLES, 
Captain J. K. Duncan, Assistant Engineer. 

Chief Engineer Board of Public Works, Baton Rouge, La. 



^ 



67 

SURVEYS IN THE PARISH OF VERMILLION. 

Joint Resolution, No. 35, 0/I86O. — This act calls for two surveys to be 
made in the parish of Vermillion, with a view to its partial drainage, out of 
the appropriation made to the parish by act No. 138, of 1858. 

First. A survey on the line dividing Ranges 2 and 3 East, in township 
13 South, Southwestern District of Louisiana. 

Second. A survey to determine the manner of draining the country lying 
North of the Grand Cheniere, and South of the Mermentau River. 

M. Bennett, Assistant Engineer, was directed to make the foregoing sur- 
veys, relative to the first of which he reports, in substance, as follows : 

A straight canal cut upon the dividing line between the townships men- 
tioned in the act, 13,855 feet in length, bottom 15 feet wide, slopes one to 
one, and containing 15,900 cubic yards, will drain the surface water from 
an area of country embracing about sixty square miles, and I would, there- 
fore, recommend its execution. Plans, profiles, and estimates of the sam8 
are on file in this office. 

Estimated Cost. 

15,900 cubic yards, at 20 cents per cubic yard 83,180 00 

Inspections, etc 520 00 



S3,700 00 

Relative to the second survey called for, Mr. Bennett regards the recla- 
mation of the country in question as impracticable, owing to the fact that 
every ordinary tide overflows the banks of the Mermentau River through- 
out a distance of several miles, and as the back country is still lower than 
the banks, it is constantly subject to tidal overflow. Extraordinar}'^ tides 
submerge the country to the depth of several feet. It is, therefore, evident 
that the reclamation of the country in question cannot be eff'ected at 
any reasonable cost, or at a cost at all proportional to the benefits to be 
derived. 

The following is Mr. Bennett's report thereon : 

Evergreen, Avoyelles, La., December 11th, 1860. 

Sir — Pursuant to your instructions of the 29th October last, I proceeded 
on and about the 24th ult., to the Grand Cheniere Island, for the purpose of 
examining the marsh between the said Island and the Mermentau River. 
I have to report that it is utterly impracticable to reclaim any portion of it 
at present. The banks of the river, from Mermentau Lake to the Island, 
are about two feet high, and are overflowed at times, by rainwater, about two 
feet deep. The marsh, east of the river, is still lower : there being two 
bayous running out of the riv^ in this direction, which, in about six miles, 
diverge into numerous small bayous, and are, finally, lost, or disappear in 
the low marsh. 



Levees Wouli afford no protection, as the common higli tides raise tlie 
river above, or even with, the top of the bank for several miles above the 
Island, and the uncommon high tides overflow the whole country several 
feet deep. The latter, however, are not periodical, and probably do not 
occur oftener than once in forty or fifty years. It is a matter of record on 
the Grand Cheniere Island, which is about six feet above the surrounding 
marshes, that in " October, 1833, the west end of the Island was inundated 
by water from the Gulf; and out of fifty inhabitants, twenty-six were lost.'' 
The residents were informed by the Indians, prior to this time, " that the 
whole country had been overflowed by the Gulf long before, and that many 
of their people were drowned.'' 

Very respectfully, your obd't servant, 

MAUNSEL BENNETT, 
Assistant Engineer, B. P. W. 
Captain J. K. Duncan, Chief Engineer, Baton Rouge, La. 



LOUISIANA AND ARKANSAS LEYEE. 

Joint Resolution No. 48, of 1860. — In accordance with this resolution, 
F. H. Farrar, Assistant Engineer, was sent to make a thorough examina- 
tion of this cross levee, and his report upon the same was laid before the 
Board at its March meeting. 

3-fae tptal length of the levee is 41,175 feet, or about 7-8 miles, with a 
,]^!ase <i^f #€ven feet to every foot in highth, and a crown equal in width to 
jthe higiith of the levee. The levee completely severs the lateral connec- 
tion between the x^rkansas and Mississippi Rivers with Bayous Mason and 
Bartholomew and the Tensas and JBoeuf [Rivers, by forming a barrier 
against the former above the head waters of the latter. It consequently 
protects large portions of the parishes of Carroll, Madison, Tensas, Frank- 
lin, Caldwell and Ouachita. The total cost of this levee was $56,537 68, 
or $28,268 84 to each of the States of Louisiana and Arkansas, $30,000 
having been appropriated by each for the joint construction of this work. 
There is consequently a balance standing to the credit of this work, from 
the funds provided by both States for its construction, of $3,462 32, which 
Mr. Farrar recommended in his report, to be applied to sodding the sandy 
portion of the levee. This recommendation ought to have been complied 
with, as a part of the levee is constructed of very sandy soil, and vast 
interests are dependent upon the security of this work. 

The report of the Louisiana Commissioners, Messrs. J. H. Brighara, D. 



69 

Newton and J. B. Matthews, together with that of the engineer of tli6 
work, W. M. Washburn, Civil Engineer, with detailed statements of expen 
ditures, as made to His Excellency, Gov. Thos. 0. Moore, are on file in 
this office, giving full particulars in regard to the work. 



DRAINAGE OF THE GRAND MARAIS-PARISH OF ST. LANDRY. 

Act No. 52, of 1860. — According to the Board's instructions, P. H. 
Thompson, Assistant Engineer, was directed to make the necessary surveys 
for the drainage of the Grand Marais. This survey determined the best 
method of draining the Marais to be by cutting a canal to convey the 
waters to the point towards which they naturally flow, viz : to the salt 
marsh leading back from the plantation of Octave Dalahoussaye, Esq. 
The release of the right of way, was peremptorily refused for the shortest 
and most economical line on which to cut this canal, and in consequence 
the question of drainage was narrowed down to the improvement of the 
natural outlet, or Bayou Loisel. After considerable delay, the right of 
way was ultimately ceded to the State on this line, the cession being 
made b}'' due Notarial act by the planters interested. 

On the 1st of October, the contract for the work was sold, at public 
auction, after due advertisement, to Thomas Hoe}'', of Natchez, Miss., for 
nineteen cents per cubic yard. Mr. Hoey gave the names of Messrs. 
Pinckard, Steele & Co., of New Orleans, and Mathew Carr, of Concordia 
parish, as his sureties, but he has since failed to sign the bond of contract. 

The proposed canal is to be 30 feet wide at the bottom, v/ith a slope of 
one to one, requiring the excavation of 75,356 cubic yards, which, at the 
contract price, will cost 814,317 64. 

In my opinion it is inadvisable to expend so large a sum of money on a 
work of so little general utility as this, as but a few plantations at best 
would be benefited by the operation. As I have satisfactory reasons lor 
believing that Mr. Hoey does not intend to sign his contra,ct and give the 
bond of $20,000 required, I would therefore recommend, in view of the 
above, either that the appropriation be applied elsewhere in the parish of 
St. Mary, or otherwise that it be allowed to reverf, to the Treasury by 
limitation. 

STATEMENT OF FUNDS. 

Amount of appropriation $20,000 00 

Survey expenses '. 531 59 

Balance in the Treasury $19,468 41 



SARRISONBURG LEVEE-PARISH OF CATAHOULA. 

Act No, 75, of I860. — This act calls for the necessary surveys to deter- 
mine the cost of constructing a levee on the right bank of the Ouachita 
River, from the pine hills at, or near Harrisonburg, to the town of Trinity, 
at the junction of the Ouachita, Tensas and Little Rivers. 

Its object is to reclaim the low country in Catahoula parish bounded by 
the pine hills. Bayou Saline and the Ouachita, and which is flooded annu- 
ally, more or less, by the lateral discharges of the high waters of the latter 
stream. 

Agreeably to the provisions of the foregoing act and the Board's instruc- 
ti(ms, F. H. Farrar, Assistant Engineer, was directed to make the surveys 
for the location and estimates of this proposed levee. The following is his 
report and estimates thereon, and the requisite maps and profiles are sub- 
mitted herewith: 

The total cost of this levee on the most favorable line, as- 
suming the grade of its crown to be two feet above the 
liigh water of 1850, is, according to Mr. Farrar's esti- 
mates $167,247 20 

Add for contingencies and inspections 1,052 80 

Total appropriation required for the work $168,300 00 

The submersion of the low country in question, results almost exclusively 
from the back waters of the Mississippi through Old River, which, backing 
up the Ked, Black, Ouachita, Little River and their several branches, 
C'iuses them to overflow their banks and flooi the surrounding country, 
although fully capable of discharging their legitimate supplies within the 
faanks of their channels. This capacity is of no avail, however, as the 
back water referred to, acts as a dam to prevent the flow of the streams in 
the direction of their courses, and forces the waters to rise and overflow 
the banks at every low point. 

If this accession from the Mississippi were shut off" from the lower val- 
leys of these streams, the high water surface of the Ouachita would be re- 
duced from five to six feet, with a consequent reduction of its levees 
throughout the entire distance affected by the back-water. In fact, it 
would obviate the necessity of constructing the proposed levee at all, with 
the exception, perhaps, of diking a few of the lateral bayous ; and even 
these dikes would be less costly from the reduced dimensions required in 
their construction. To accomplish this, Old River must be closed at its 
mouth, an operation which I earnestly recommend, and which is more 
fully discussed in a previous portion of this report, with all its detailed 
consequences and effects. 

By doing so, we save the cost of the levee in contemplation — $168,300 — 
which is a little over one- third of the entire cost of constructing the pro- 



71 

posed works at the mouth of Old River and in the head of Bayou Pla- 
quemine. 

This is but a small item of the saving, however, as the Harrisonburg 
levee is only sixteen and a half miles in length, whereas, both banks of the 
Ouachita aro affected by the back-waters at least as high up as the mouth 
of Bayou Bartholomew, a distance of over three hundred miles. 

Nor is this all. The Red, Black, Tensas, Atchafalaya, and Little Rivers, 
Bayous Saline, Courtableau, Grosse Tete, and many of their branches, are 
similarly affected by the back-waters of the Mississippi. On these the 
proposed works will produce the same beneficial results, reducing the di- 
mensions of the levees, and causing the immediate reclamation of millions 
of acres of low or swamp land, now subject annually to overflow. 

The following is Mr. Farrar's report : 

Engineer's Office, Board of Pdblic Works, ) 
Baton Rouge, December 11th, 1860. J 

Sir — In compliance with your instructions, dated October 8th, I 
made an examination and survey of the swamp lying between llirri- 
sonburg and Trinity, for the purpose of reclaiming the same, as per joint 
resolution No. 75, approved March 2, 1860. 

I subjoin herewith a map and profile, showing the location ot the pro- 
posed work, with a section and estimate of its cost. In this report I 
shall confine myself exclusively to the cost of the proposed work, and refer 
you for further information to my report upon the improvement of the 
Bayou Saline, in which I have embodied the results of my examination of 
the scope of country included between the high lands of Catahoula, Cata- 
houla Lake, Ouachita, Black and Red Rivers. 

Commencing at the pine hills back of Harrisonburg, and crossing 
Mayo's Baj^ou near the residence of Judge Taliafero, the located line fol- 
lows the south side of the bayou to its junction with the Ouachita. It 
then follows the river back to the head of Bayou Bushley, skirts down the 
Bushley three-fifths of a mile and crosses. At the point of crossing, the 
width of the ba^'ou from bank to bank is seven hundred feet. This spot 
was selected as giving the best foundation and least depth of water in the 
channel. The maximum depth at the date of survey was found to be 
three feet. The bed of the stream is hard, gravelly sand, and the banks of 
the bayou are light clay. Everywhere else the banks of the bayou contain 
springs, which would cause continual sloughing and leakage in the levee. 
The maximum bight (including one-eighth settlage) is sixty-five feet. A 
slope of three to one was adopted, with a crown of twent)' feet. 

From the crossing of the Bushley the line follows the south side of the 
bayou to its junction with the Ouachita, and thence down the river, keep- 
ing the highest ground, cutting off two low points that overflow annually. 
At a point five miles from Trinity, the line should leave the river bank and 



72 

take a westerly course until it strikes the high cane ridge on Lesley's Lake, 
half a mile from the river, then following round the outside of the lake a 
distance of two miles, should strike the river again d short distance above 
'the residence of E. Nalle, Esq. By following this route and throwing out 
about a thousand acres of low land, a large saving in earthwork can be 
made, with a slightly increased length of levee. A portion of the ridge 
around the lake was not overflowed in 1828, and a greater portion is above 
the overflow of 1850. 

Below Mr. Nalle's residence, half a mile, the line leaves the river again, 
following a high palmetto ridge, and comes out upon the river again one 
mile above the town of Trinity. From thence to Trinity it follows the 
river bank. Both of the towns of Trinity and Harrisonburg will necessa- 
rily be thrown out, as there is no point where earth could be obtained for 
the construction of the levee, without hauling such a distance as to double 
the cost. 

The only way in fact, by which they could be leveed, would be by 
raising the grade of their front streets four or five feet, which would in- 
volve the necessity of raising the buildings to correspond. All this, how- 
ever, can be avoided if a proper plan is pursued. 

The following is the estimate of cost, etc., in tabular form, of the entire 
work, assuming as a necessity a grade line two feet above the flood of 
1850: 
Length of levee (Harrisonburg to Trinity). ..... .16^ miles. 

Total cubic yards earth-work, including levee- 
ing of Little Kiver 810,736 

Cost per yard 20c. 

No. of miles grubbing and clearing 10.2 

Cost per mile 1500 00 

Total cost of earth work $162,147 20 

Total cost of grubbing and clearing ..... 5,100 ^0 

Entire cost $167,247 20 

Provided Mayo's Bayou, Bayou Bushley, Little River and sev^eral inter* 
vening bayous be leveed, and the balance neglected as unnecessary, for 
reasons assigned in the report on Bayou Saline, the cost of the work will 
be as follows : 

Bayou Bushley 179 833 cubic yards 

Little River 175.000 " 

All other bayous 169,427 " » 

Sum total 524,260 <' <' at 20c. $104,852 06 

The above report, together with the accompanying map and profile, is 
respectfully submitted. 

Very respectfully, your oVt serv't, 

F. H. FARRAR, 
Assistant Engineer. 
Capt. J. K. Duncan, Chief Engineer. 



T8 

BAYOU SALINE-PARISH OF CATAHOULA. 

Act No. 181, of 1859. — This act appropriates five thousand dollars for 
the purpose of removing- the obstructions from Bayou Saline, in the parish 
of Catahoula. Agreeably to the Board's instructions, F. H. Farrar, Assist- 
ant Engineer, was sent to make an examination of that stream and to re- 
port its condition, and the works necessary for its improvement. His re- 
port is transmitted herewith in manuscript, marked " A." 

This bayou is obstructed between Lakes Saline and Catahoula, a distance 
of about ten miles, the obstructions consisting of overhanging trees and 
low wooded points in the abrupt bends, which require to be cut out and 
removed to a width of eighty feet. There is but little or no fallen timber 
in the channel. The appropriation is ample for the removal of these ob- 
structions, as §500 per mile, is a full estimate of the cost of the forego- 
ing work. 

Ten miles at $500 per mile $5,000 00 

Overhanging trees and wooded points, however, are not the only ob- 
structions in this stream, and which indeed are so unimportant a considera- 
tion, that they may be thrown out of the question entirely. The great 
difficulty to the successful navigation of Bayou Saline, or in converting it 
into a main drainage artery for the reclamation of the flat country lying 
south of the pine hills in Catahoula parish, arises from essentially different 
causes. This bayou at one time was evidently the direct continuation of 
upper Little River, which is formed by the junction of Ba^'^ous Castor and 
Dugdemona. What is now called lower Little River, and which empties 
into the Ouachita River at Trinity, was then only one of the short lateral 
branches of the latter, and which assisted in draining the low central 
swamp lying between the Ouachita and Bayou Saline, or Little River pro- 
per. Two or more branches of the Saline also headed in this swamp, and 
which then, as now, discharged into this bayou at the southern extremity 
of the parish. From some cause, which I shall not attempt to account 
for, the channel of Rayou Saline w^as filled up at the point which now con- 
stitutes its head, that is at its present junction with Catahoula Lake, 

Now the floods of Bayous Castor and Dugdemona, and Little River, ne- 
cessarily rise very suddenly, as they all flow through narrow valleys 
skirted with pine hills with a clayey soil, from which the surface water 
drains rapidly and rushes down the hills to swell these streams. Owing 
to the closing of Bayou Saline — their natural outlet — it is evident that 
these flood waters would be dammed up, and consequently would overflow 
the surrounding flat country. As this overflow rose in hight, it would 
seek a vent through the branches of the Ouachita and the Saline, which 
drained the basin which it occupied. This was the sole cause of the form- 
ation of Catahoula Lake, and the excavation of the channel of lower Little 

10 e £ 



74 

River through it. This lake consists simply of a low prairie from two to 
three miles wide, and about fifteen miles long. It is dry for six months in 
the year, and covered with grass, at which seasons also, the main water 
channel through it, is only a few yards in width and some two or three feet 
in depth. When the floods return, they again overflow the prairie and the 
surrounding low country, seeking the lateral branches of the low swamp, 
to vent themselves as before. 

The level of the bottom of Bayou Saline, is five feet above the bed of 
Lake Catahoula ; and it is hence evident that this bayou only acts as a 
waste- wier when the back water rises above that level. It is equally evi- 
dent, that so long as this condition of things continues, a large extent of 
flat country in Catahoula parish, will be annually subjected to inundation 
from the causes stated 

I would, therefore, recommead the deepening of the head of Bayou Sa- 
line, in order to reduce the levels of its bottom to that of the bed of the 
lake. This will at once drain Catahoula Lake, and cause the reclamation 
of many acres of land v/hich cannot be reclaimed economically in any 
other v/ay. 

Estimated Cost. 

110,000 cubic yards of excavation which, at 25 cents per cubic 

yard, amounts to $27,500 00 

Surveys and inspections 500 00 



BAYOU CONWAY-PARISHES OF ASCENSION AND ST. JAMES. 

Ad No. 79, of 1860. — The following report of J. M. Searles, Assistant 
Engineer, who made the survey of this bayou, is adverse to calling for an 
appropriation for the purpose of clearing it out, on the grounds that this 
bayou is already sufficiently free from obstructions for all the drainage 
purposes contemplated by the provisions of the foregoing act. I have, 
therefore, to refer his report and estimates to the consideration of the 
Board, for such recommendations thereon to the Legislature as it may deem 
advisable : 



Appropriation required $28,000 00 

The appropriation of $5,000, made by act No. 181, of 1859, should be 
re-appropriated for the purposes originally intended, as it will expire by \ 
limitation in May, 1861. Maps and profiles are enclosed herewith. 



75 

Engixekr'.s Office, Board op Public Works, ) 
Baton Rouge, La., May 15, 1860. y 

Sir — In compliance with your instructions of the Oth ultimo, I made a 
chain survey of Bayou Conway, in the parishes of Ascension and St. James, 
with the view of ascertaining its length and "the probable cost of cleaning 
it out." 

It is my opinion that this bayou is sufficiently clean to meet all drainage 
demands; yet, if it should be contracted out, I would ad-vise that the clear 
ing should be begun at the upper line of Gov. Manning's Plantation, in the 
parish of Ascension, and continued down to the line between this parish 
and St. James. 

The bayou above Gov. Manning's is perfectly clean, having been canaled 
out. Also, beyond the St. James line, for the distance of one and fifty- 
eightieths (1 50-80) miles. 

Length of Bayou to be Cleaned in the imrish of Ascension. 
Seven miles, at $500 per mile $3,500 00 

Length of Bay on to he Cleaned in the parish of St. James. 
One and fifty- eightieths miles, at $500 per mile 812 50 

Total cost of cleaning bayou $4,312 50 

Contingencies and surveys 187 50 

$4,500 00 

The examination of this bayou was continued to a point at which it 
loses itself in the swamp, and its channel is no longer traceable. All of 
which is fully illustrated on the accompanying map. 
Yer}^ respectfull}'', your obedient servant, 

JAMES M. SEAELES, Assistant Engineer. 
Capt. J. K. Duncan, 

Chief Engineer Board of Public Works, Baton Rouge, La. 



BAYOUS COOLIE AND BONNE-IDEE-PARISH OF MOREHOUSE. 

Joint Resolution No. 104, of 1860. — In regard to the works, required 
upon these bayous, I have respectfully to refer the Board to the following 
report and estimates of J. M. Searles, Assistant Engineer, wdio surveyed 
the same. 

From Mr. Searles' report, and the accompanying map, it will be seen 
that the Bonne-id ee has been completely shut off from Bayou Lafourche 



76 

by tlie successive closing of all the lateral bayous, or rather sloughs, which 
formerly connected them. This has forced the Bonne-idee to discharge 
into Boeuf River, which it now does freely, with an average fall of 0.8 
feet per mile, and which is amply sufficient for all drainage purposes. 

Should its lateral sloughs be again reopened into the Lafourche, as im. 
.plied in the requirements of the foregoing act, the water from the Bonne- 
idee would overflow^ without any corresponding benefit, many of the lands 
on the Lafourche, which have since been brought into cultivation, in con* 
sequence of the construction of the existing levees across the sloughs. 

Relative to the proposed improvement of this bayou for the purposes of 
navigation, it will be observed, from his report, than the Bceuf River, on 
which the navigation depends, only rises ten feet at the bayou's mouth in 
extreme floods, while the fall of the bayou is 0.8 feet per mile at the same 
time. Consequently, under the most favorable circumstances, the back 
waters from the Boeuf can only extend up the bayou for a distance of twelve 
and a half miles. 

To improve this distance, at Mr, Searles' estimate of $2,500 per mile, 
will cost the sum of $31,250 — a large sum to expend for a small sectional 
benefit, when the country generally will still have to depend mainly on the 
common roads of the country for the transportation of their supplies and 
products. 

The repairs upon the dyke across the upper slough is the only work which 
can properly be recommended for the Bonne-idee, at a cost of $222 22. 

In regard to the Coolie, it will be seen that it now empties into Bayou 
Gallion, a stream which is capable of discharging it together with its own 
waters ; whereas. Deep Bayou, into which the act proposes to drain the 
Coolie, is itself nothing but a slough, or rather a lake, without any natural 
outlet. Its former discharge was Bayou Boeuf, but this has been dyked oft'. 
The Coolie is a very shallow bayou, filled with obstructions, and requiring 
to be deepened and cleared, in order to give it sufficient capacity to vent 
the waters of its swamp valley. 

The estimates of Mr. Searles for this work are fully given in his report, 
and fully illustrated by the accompanying map, which are submitted here- 
with, for the consideration of the Board : 

Engineer's Office, Boakd of Public Works, ) 
Baton Rouge, La., November 1, 1860. ) 

Sir — I have completed the surveys comprehended in your instructions of 
the 8th ultimo, and hereby report the results of my operations : 

I was for some days delayed, on arriving at the Bayou Bonne-id^e, in dis- 
covering the true intent and meaning of the joint resolution, (No. 104.) 
The resolution evidences a total want of conception of the geography of the 
country, and of its land-reclaiming necessities. I would respectfully call 
your attention to the reading of the joint resolution. 



The Bayou Bonne-idee has its source in Horse Shoe C3'prefis Brake, id 
township 32 north, range 8 east, and flows circuitously for about seventy 
miles, until it reaches the Boeuf River. Its waters were formerly divided 
with Lake Lafourche. Those outlets were closed several years since, by 
legislative enactment and appropriation, and many thousand acres of land 
in the Lake Lafourche valley were reclaimed from a periodical overflow. 

One of the levees, closing the upper outlet of the Bonne-idee to the Lake 
Lafourche, is now broken. I have measured the extent of the break, and 
estimated the cost of reconstructing the work. 

The resolution, as you will observe, authorized a survey for the purpose 
of determining on the practicability of ditching and draining the Bonne-id^e 
to Lake Lafourche. Those outlet-levees were built to turn its waters into 
Boeuf River, and thereby benefit the lands bordering on the Lafourche ^ 
Since the construction of the Arkansas levee, v/hich was built conjointly by 
the States of Louisiana and Arkansas, the Bonne-idee never rises without 
its banks. I consulted with several gentlemen residing on or near the 
Bonne-idee, in reference to the meaning of the '• resolution,'' and they 
informed me that it was the wish of the people to have the bayou cleaned 
out for the purpose of navigation. It is desired that it should extend from 
the Boeuf River, as high up as what is termed the State Road, about thirty- 
four miles. 

The fall of the bayou averages about eight-tenths (8-10) of a foot to the 
mile. Navigation can only be had during the continuance of extreme high 
water in Boeuf River. The greatest rise of this stream, at the mouth of the 
Bayou Bonne-idee, is not over ten (10) feet. This shows that navigation 
by the back Avaters of the Boeuf River, would not be practicable, even for 
half the distance contemplated. 

The wagon roads in the parish of Morehouse are generally very good, 
and the planters living on the Bonne-idee have not a longer distance to 
haul their cotton to Boeuf River than four or five miles ; so that I cannot 
see the necessity for cleaning out the Bonne-id^e, even were it practicable, 
for navigation purposes. 

A traverse of the bayou was made from its mouth to the State road. 
Below is an estimate for cleaning it out, for the distance of thirty-two (32) 
miles. 

A great benefit might be done the lands bordering on the Bayou Coolie. 
This stream has its origin in township 21 north, range 6 east, and empties 
into the Bayou Gallion. The GaUion has been cleared of timber for three or 
four miles above its junction with the Coolie, and for eight or nine miles 
below. It has sufficient capacity, when fully cleared, to conduct its waters, 
as well as those of the Coolie, within its banks, to the low swamps along the 
Bayou Lafourche. I had an opportunity for examining the general topo- 
graphy of the swamp, and I am disposed to think that if the bayou were 



cleared of timber and enlarged, it would reclaim many thousand acres of 
the fairest land in the parish of Morehouse. There are many sloughs which 
lie parallel with the Bayou Coolie, throughout the swamp, but these can 
be easily drained as the lands become settled. 

I deem the Gallion the proper receptacle of the waters ot the Coolie, as 
they can be conducted by this channel farther from the lands which admit 
of cultivation; whereas, if they were thrown into Deep Bayou, (which is 
but a slough,) it would have the effect of gorging the rain water, and back- 
ing it up on places which are now being brought into cultivation. 

I can only give below an approximate estimate for clearing out and 
deepening this bayou. 

Mr. Henry Brigham, of Morehouse parish, is now engaged in closing four 
outlets of the Gallion into the Coolie swamp. As this is a necessary part 
of the reclamation of the swamp, I would recommend, should an appropria- 
tion be made for the clearing out and canaling of Bayou Coolie, that Mr. 
Brigham be relieved by the State of the individual expense he will incur 
in the construction of his levees. I have also estimated the dimensions and 
cost of the work he is doing : 

Estimates. 

Clearing out the Boune-idee, parish of Morehouse, to the width 
of seventy-five (75) feet, for thirty-two (32) miles, at the 
rate of twenty-five hundred dollars ($2,500 per mile $80,000 00 

Clearing out the Bayou Coolie, parish of Morehouse, to the 
width of thirty (30) feet, for fifteen (15) miles, at the rate of 
one thousand dollars ($1,000) per mile 15,000 00 

Canaling of same, four (4) feet deep, ten (10) feet wide, for 
fifteen (15) miles — 117,333 cubic yards, at the rate of 
twenty cents per cubic yard 23,466 00 

Cost of levee built by Henry Brigham, across the Gallion 
sloughs, 3,919 cubic yards, at the rate of 25^ cents per cubic 
yard 999 34 

Total cost of work necessary to be done on Bayou Coolie. . $39,465 34 

Keconstructing levee across the upper outlet on the Bayou 
Bonne-idee : 

88,888 cubic yards, at the rate of 25 cents per cubic yard $222 22 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

JAMES M. SEARLES, Assistant Engineer. 
Capt. J. K. Duncan, 

Chief Engineer Board of Public Works, Baton Rouge, La. 



79 

HURRICANE, RED MOUTH, LITTLE CREEK, AND MUDDY BAYOUS- 
PARISH OF FRANKLIN. 

Joint Resolution No. 132, of 1860. — F. H. Farrar, Assistant Engineer, 
was directed to make the surveys called for in this act, and the following 
is his report thereon. 

These bayous are simply chutes of the Boeuf River, which, leaving the 
river at certain points, come into it again below, at distances more or 
less remote. The act proposes to close the upper gorges or heads, to 
prevent the inundation of the back country ; and the report of Mr. Farrar 
clearly shows the necessity of these works, and that it should be done 
immediately. 

1. Because a large amount of low land will be reclaimed by closing 
these heads, which are only subject to overflow from the waters of the 
Boeuf through them, while at the same time they will act as the natural 
drains of this same swamp country, when this source of supply is shut off. 

2. So long as there is no break in the common levee belonging to the 
States of Louisiana and Arkansas, Boeuf River is fully capable of venting 
its flood and drainage waters within its banks, and these bayous therefore 
are not necessary as a relief to its surplus. 

The total amount of levee embankment is 12,275 cubic j^ards, which 

at 30 cents $3,682 50 

Contingencies, surveys, and inspections. ... 517 50 

Appropriation required for the works 14,200 00 

Enginer's Office, Board of Public Works, ) 
Baton Rouge, La., June 1st., 1860. J 

Sir — In accordance with your letter of instructions, dated April 9th, 
1860, I have completed the survey of Hurricane, Red Mouth, and Muddy 
Bayous, in the parish of Frankhn, and beg leave to submit the following 
report, estimates and accompanying maps : • 

HURRICANE BAYOU. 

Length of levee » 218 feet. 

Average hight 6 " 

Number of cubic yards embankment 1875.5 

Nature of soil sandy loam 

Top width 12 " 

Slopes 3 to 1 

Shrinkage to be allowed in construction J 

RED MOUrH BAYOU. 

Length of levee to be repaired 1430 feet. 

*' of new levee needed 1100 *' 

Average hight (entire levee) 7.3 



80 

Number of cubic yards (repairs) 7257 

" (new levee) 1790 

Nature of soil sandy loam 

Top width (across the bayou) 16 feet. 

" (remainder). 4 " 

Slopes , 3 to 1 

Total cubic yards 9047 

MUDDY BAYOU. 



Length of levee 900 feet. 

Top width (see map) varying" 

Slopes 3 to 1 

Cubic, yards 1354.2 

Average hight 3.6 feet. 

Nature of the soil < sandy loam 

LITTLE CREEK 

Has no outlet or communication with Boeuf River wdthin Frantliu parish. 

TOPOGRAPHICAL FEATURES OF THE OUTLETS. 

Hurricane Bayou is a small outlet that divides into three bayous about 
half a mile from the river bank. These in their turn, in a short distance, 
become scarcely perceptible and merge into a swamp that is a portion of 
the low la,nds of Red Mouth Bayou. This bayou acts merely as a supply 
pipe to the swamp when the river rises above the level of its channel, and 
in turn supplies the river from the resources of the swamp, when the 
water level of the river is reduced to its ordinary stage. In low water 
the channel of the bayou is entirel}^ dry. 

Ked Mouth Bayou has two outlets, one called Dave's Bayou, the other 
Red Mouth. They unite about a mile from Bosuf River, and form the Red 
Mouth proper. In another half mile the bayou looses itself in a wide 
swamp. This swamp, twelve miles in length and five miles wide in its 
greatest breadth, lies across the neck of a bend of Boeuf River, fifty miles 
in length. At the lower end of the swamp Red Mouth Bayou again 
becomes perceptible and empties into Boeuf River, a short distance below 
the Bayou Lafourche, on the opposite side, and two and three quarters 
miles above the mouth of Muddy Bayou. This swamp is flooded annually 
from one to ten feet deep. 

The accompanying cross-section of the outlet of Muddy Bayou, shows 
an opening capable of passing a much larger quantity of w^ater than ever 
reaches Muddy Bayou, for this reason : the outlet, after cutting through 
the high ridge on the river, loses itself in a swamp in a very short dis- 
tance. On the further side of the swamp (which is only some half mile in 
breadth) is a high ridge, broken only in one point by a flat, some two 
hundred yards in breadth, across which the water runs, in times of floods 
from six to eighteen inches in depth, and finds its way into Muddy Bayou. 



81 

It would be best, however, to place the levee at the point indicated on the 
map, as by that means the intervening swamp would be reclaimed. 

EFFECT OF CLOSING OUTLETS. 

Ked Mouth Bayou was closed by the State, in the fall of 1858, by a 
levee at its upper mouth. In 1859 the Hood in Boenf River was generally 
about the same hight as that of the proceeding year, except at Red Mouth, 
where it was three feet higher, and plantations, for miles above and below, 
were injured by water, that had never been overflowed before. The levee 
was finally cut by some one, and the river fell three feet in the succeeding 
twenty-four hours. But important changes have taken place since then. 
By the completion of the cross-levee in Arkansas from the Mississippi to 
the high lands, the volume of water that heretofore entered the Boeuf 
from the Arkansas and Mississippi, has been cut off. As long as that 
levee presents an unbroken front, the bayous on Boeuf River can be leveed 
without injury to any one, and a vast amount of land reclaimed. It is 
difficult for me to say what has been the hight of the floods of the Boeuf 
River from rains, and its own head waters alone, as they have always been 
heretofore accompanied and augmented by water from the Mississippi, but 
I should judge from what data I have been able to collect, that the channel 
of Boeuf River is amply sufficient to accommodate and carry off all its 
floods from winter rains, even provided that it should be shut out from the 
various reservoirs, such as the swamp of Red Mouth, Hurricane, and 
Muddy Bayous. 

As the result of my investigation, I am of opinion that these bayous 
can be leveed without material damage to adjacent property. 

F. H. FARRAR, 



J. K. Duncan, Esq., Chief Engineer. 



Assistant Engineer. 



DRAINAGE OF LAKE SARDINE-PARISH OF WEST BATON ROUGE. 

Act No. 159, of 1860. — In consequence of the increased servitude occa- 
sioned by the unnatural drainage of the water of Lake Sardine into Stumpy 
Bayou, through the canal made for the drainage of Point Manoir Levee, 
to the prejudice of the plantations on Stumpy Bayou below, and onFausse 
River behind, 1875 lineal feet of this canal were filled up to the levels of 
the natural surface of the ground, under the provisions of the foregoing 

11 C E 



82 

act. A contract for the same was entered into with W. W. Lemmon of 
the parish of West Baton Rouge, for the sum of |950 for the whole work, 
or at the rate of about 15 cents per cubic yard. Mr. Lemmon faithfully 
complied with the specifications of his contract, and filled the canal in a 
satisfactory manner. 

Point Manoir levee is naturaliy and well drained by a series of coulees 
or sloughs, leading from the base of the levee, several of which assemble 
and form Lake Sardine, which drains naturally and with sufficient fall and 
capacity into Bayou Clause. The remainder of these sloughs come to- 
gether and form Stumpy Bayou, which drains naturally into Bayou 
Poydras. All of these sloughs are distinct and separate, with low cane 
ridges between them, although for the most part, they only consist of or- 
dinary depressions between these ridges. 

Both Stumpy Bayou and Bayou Clause require improvements, in the 
way of removing the fallen timber and other obstructions from their chan- 
nels to facilitate their flow, and should additional drainage be deemed re- 
quisite for the Point Manoir levee, the means applied should be turned in 
that direction. 

STATEMENT OF FUNDS. 

Amount of appropriation $1,000 00 

Paid contractor $950 00 

Surveys and inspections 47 00 — 997 00 

Balance in Treasury $ 3 00 



BONNET CARRE POINT LEVEE-PARISH OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST. 

Ad No. 174, of 1860. — This act appropriates ten thousand dollars for 
the purpose of paying the balance due on the construction of the Bonnet 
Carre Point levee, after dUe inspection by a competent Engineer of the 
Board of Public Works, as called for by L. Caldwell, Swamp Land Com- 
missioner of the Second District, in his report of 1860. After due exami- 
nation and inspection, a final settlement was made with Patrick Phelan, 
the contractor, on the 18th of April. 

STATEMENT OF FUNDS. 

Amount of appropriation $10,000 00 

Paid to contractor 9.960 85 



Balance in Treasury $ 39 15 



83 

IMPROVEMENT OF THE SABINE. 

Act No. 203, of 1860. — This act appropriates fifteen tliousand dollars 
for the improvement of the Sabine River, provided, however, tliat the State 
of Texas appropriates an equal sum for the same purpose. I enclosed a 
copy of this act in a letter to the Governor of Texas, requesting- him to 
officially inform the Governor of this State, of any action taken by the 
Legislature of Texas relative to the improvement of the Sabine. His Ex- 
cellency, Governor Moore, informs me, that no communication regarding 
this subject has been received from Texas up to this date. In consequence, 
the appropriation necessarily remains untouched, as the provisions of the 
act make it imperative, that the State of Texas shall appropriate a like 
sum for the same objects, before it becomes available. 

STATEMENT OF FDNDS. 

Amount of appropriation $15,000 00 

In Treasury 15,000 00 



CUT-OFF" AND ISLAND BAYOU LEVEES-CATALOULA PARISH. 

Ad No. 204, of 1860. — Agreeably to the provisions of this act, an in- 
strumental survey was made of the dikes across the heads of these bayous, 
based upon which, a contract for the repairs of the same was sold at 
public auction on the 29 th of August, after due advertisement, to Peter 
Young, of Natchez, Mississippi, for sixteen cents per cubic yard. Messrs. 
R. B. Jones of Catahoula parish, and S. C. Scott of Concordia parish, were 
accepted as his securities on a bond of |2,500. The total number of cubic 
yards required in the repairs of the old dikes, and in the extension of wing 
levees, is 11,661, -which, at the contract price of sixteen cents per cubic 
yard, amounts to 11,865 76. Mr. Young has completed his contract agree- 
ably to the specifications, and the work has been accepted. 

STATEMENT OF FUNDS. 

Amount of appropriation $2,500 00 

To be paid to contractor , $1,865 76 

Balance in Treasury , $2,500 00 



84 

DRAINAGE OF THE VALLEY BETWEEN THE LAFOURCHE AND 

TERREBONNE. 

Acts No. 185, of 1859, and No. 212, of I860.— These acts together 
appropriate fifty- three thousand two hundred and fifty-one dollars and 
ninety-four cents, .for the purpose of constructing the works necessary to 
drain and reclaim the swamp and overflowed lands situated between 
Bayous Lafourche and Terrebonne, in accordance with the plans proposed 
by J. Gorlinski, Civil Engineer, subject to such modifications as the Board 
may deem judicious to make to carry out the intent of the Legislature in 
the premises. P. H. Thomson, Assistant Engineer, was directed to 
examine and report upon the works planned by Mr. Grorlinski, and to esti- 
mate the cost of the same, for the consideration of the Board in making 
such modifications as it deemed proper, 

Mr. Thomson fully endorses the line of canals projected by Mr. Gor- 
linski, the estimated cost of which he places at $53,000. 

The appropriation is sufficient for these proposed works, but should they 
be executed, the appropriations made by act No. 185, of 1859, will have 
to be renewed, as they expire by limitation on the 6th of May, 1861. 

The report and estimate of Mr. Thomson is as follows herewith : 

STATEiMENT OF FUNDS. 

Appropriated by act No. 185, of 1859 $40,000 00 

Aijjlpriated by act No. 212, of 1860 13,251 94 

In Treasury $53,251 94 

Exgineer's Office, Board of Public Works, 1 
Baton Rouge, La., October 31st, 1860. j 

Sir — In accordance with that portion of instructions of the Department, 
dated July 18, 1860, which requires me to " examine the valley between 
the Lafourche and Terrebonne bayous, and report upon the best means of 
reclaiming the swamp lands embraced in that basin," I would respectfully 
report : 1st, that I fully endorse the line of projected canals, proposed by 
Jos. Gorlinski, Civil Engineer, in his report to the Commissioner of the 
Second Swamp Land District, dated Baton Rouge, March 4th, 1859, and 
do most confidently recommend their construction as the very best means 
of eff'ecting the desired end. 2nd, I would amend his estimates by adopt- 
ing those originally proposed by him through the prairies, and taking his 
last estimate of the cost of cutting through the ridges of Bayou Bleu and 
Point-au-Chien. Adopting these figures I am enabled to furnish you the 
following estimate : 



85 

Canal from lower end of Lake Long to the head of Grailil 

Baj'ou Bay, 5 90-100 railes, at $5,000 per mile $29,500 00 

Excavation through Bayou Bleu ridge, 26,400 cul>ie yards, at 

30 cents per yard 7,920 00 

Canal from lower end of Grand Bayou Bay to Bayou Jean La- 

croix, 1 85-100 miles, at $5,000 per mile 9,250 00 

Excavation through Point-au-Chien ridge, 14,080 cubic yards, 

at 30 cents per yard 4,224 00 

Incidentals, surveys, etc 2,100 00 

Total cost of works complete $53,000 00 

I amend his estimates in this way, because I conceive tliat his original 

ideas as to the size of the canals through the prairies were correct, and 

secondly, because the above amount is fully sufficient to complete the 

work. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

P. H. THOMSON, Assistant Engineer. 
Capt. J. K. Duncan, Chief Engineer. . 



IMPROVEMENT OF BAYOU PIERRE-PARISH OF CADDO. 

Act JVo. 214, 0/I86O. — This act appropriates eighteen thousand dollars 
for continuing the works in Bayou Pierre, being a portion of an appropri- 
ation made for said works by act No. 168, of 1858. The contract was 
made by T. P. Hotchkiss, Commissioner Third Swamp Land District, with 
Thomas Hunter, of the Parish of Natchitoches, with the approval of Wm . 
F. Fortson and John Jordan, two of the special commissioners named in 
the latter act. This appropriation was not sufficient to complete the works 
as originally designed ; but as far as it held out, the works were executed 
according to contract, and the balance of the appropriation was paid over 
to the contractor, upon the certificate of G. L. DeRussy, Commissioner of 
the Board of Public Works, who had also been the engineer who formerly 
planned the improvements in question. 

STATEMENT OF FUNDS. 

Amount of appropriation $18,000 00 

Paid to contractor 18,000 00 

Appropriation exhausted. 



SWAMP LANDS IN LAFOURCHE. 

Ads JSTo. 150, 0/1859, and No. 215, oj I860.— Thirty thousand dollars 
are appropriated by these acts, for draining the swamp lands in the lower 
part of the parish of Lafourche, according to the surveys, plans and speci- 
fications already made and prepared, subject to such modifications as the 



Board may deem judicious to make to carry out the intent of the Legisla* 
ture in the premises. 

P. H. Thomson, Assistant Engineer, was directed to make an examina- 
tion of the country in question, and to report upon the utility, practicability 
and cost of the several works projected under the administration of L. 
Caldwell, Commissioner Second Swamp Land District, for the guidance of 
the Board in modifying the same if necessary. Mr. Thomson rejects the 
adoption of all the v/orks under consideration, excepting the two following 
which recommendation I fully approve : 

1st. The completion of the Verret and Chevreuil Canal, to drain the 
angle of country between Bayou Lafourche and the Mississippi River. 

2nd. The construction of a direct canal, 39,600 feet in length, between 
Lake Salvador and Little Lake, to be cut 60 feet wide and 5 feet deep, 
through open prairie, for the purpose of reducing the water levels of 
Lake Salvador, the great interior reservoir of the Lafourche Valley. 

Mr. Thomson estimates the cost of these works as follows : 

Verret and Chevreuil Canal $15,644 40 

Canal draining Lake Salvador 88,000 00 

Add for contingencies, surveys and inspection 1,975 40 

Total amount required for the works 1105,619 80 

STATEMENT OF FUNDS. 

Appropriated by act No. 150, of 1859 ^20,000 00 

Expended for surveys, etc 4,380 20 

Balance in Treasury $15,619 80 

Appropriated by act No. 215, of 1860 10,000 00 

Total available and in Treasury $25,619 80 

• — " - - — - ■ — 

Required for the construction of proposed works $105,619 80 

Amount available as above 25,619 80 

Appropriation required $80,000 00 

This will also require the renewal of the appropriation made by act No. 
150, of 1859, as it soon expires by limitation. 

I would furthermore direct the attention of the Board to Mr. Thomson's 
argument in favor of working a State force and boats upon the canals in 
contemplation, instead of letting them out by contract. His estimates 
are lar^^er than is necessary, as a first class dredge-boat can be built for 
about $17,000, and the negro expenses, fuel, etc., and contingencies, exceed 
the amount that is absolutely required for efficient service. 

His premises being correct, therefore, the conclusions arrived at are self- 
evident; and it would be judicious economy to extend the same system to 
all the canals, levees, and other public works of the State, under some 
well digested general plan. 




87 



The following is Mr. Thomson's report : 



Exgixeer's Office, Board of Public Works. ) 
Baton Rouge, La., September 24th, 1860. f 

Sib — In accordance with the orders of the Department of July 18, 1860, 
directing me to make " a thorough reconnoissance of the country lying be- 
tween the Mississippi River and Bayou Lafourche," with a view to de- 
velop some general plan for the drainage of that section of the State, I 
would report that I have fulfilled your instructions, and submit the follow- 
ing conclusioQs : 

The plan adopted during my examination was to commence at the great 
outlets and proceed to the interior, observing carefully so as to be enabled 
to determine the points where any obstruction might exist. Then to fol- 
low out each main bayou (which drained into the outlets) to their sources, 
carefully noting their capacity and need of improvement. I cannot more 
clearly show the results obtained, than by briefly describing the valley, re. 
ferring at the same time to a large map on file in this office, which was 
made by Jos. Gorlinski, Civil Engineer. The entire drainage of this valley 
is carried to the Gulf and Barataria Bay, by four bayous, viz : Dupont, St^ 
Denis, Grand and Cabauage. In these, with the exception of Dupont, no 
obstruction exists, and their capacity for any service which may be imposed 
upon them, whether by crevasse or otherwise, is ample. Bayou Dupont is 
almost entirely closed in its lower portion by an accumulation of drift and 
growth of grass. All these bayous, with, the exception of Dupont, receive their 
waters from Little Lake, and as the quantity which passes through Bayou 
Dupont is insignificant, owing to its obstructed condition, we may con- 
sider that the drainage of the whole valley is compelled to pass through 
Little Lake. Little Lake, although very shallow, being in no place more 
than six feet in depth, is not anywhere less than a mile wide. I cannot be. 
lieve that there exists the least obstruction to the flow of the waters 
through it. 

Proceeding in my examination, I find that the only streams which empty 
into Little Lake are Bayous Rigolets and Des Amoureux. Bayou des 
Amoureux heads up in the prairie between Little Lake and Lake Salvador, 
and afibrds an outlet for the drainage of the few plantations on the left bank 
of the Lafourche below Lockport. It has no connection with the drainage 
of the upper portion of the valley, and is of no greater capacity than will 
naturally be required of it, i. e., to effect the reclamation of the back lands 
contiguous to it upon the Lafourche. It will readily be seen, therefore, and 
more clearly by reference to the map, that all of the surplus waters, both 
those of ordinary seasons and those occasioned by crevasses, must find their 
way into Little Lake by Bayou Eigolet. A careful examination of this 
bayou, and a reference to reports of various Engineers, developed the fol- 
lowing facts : 



88 

1. The widtli of the bayou at its mouth is between five hundred and six 
hundred feet, with an average depth of three and a half feet. 

2. The width at the mouth of Bayou Perro is about six hundred feet, 
with an average depth of fifteen feet. 

3. The total rise during the Bell crevasse, on Little Lake, was five feet 
and seven inches. 

4. The total rise at the mouth of Bayou Perro, as near as can be ascer- 
tained, was about eight feet. 

5. The distance from Bayou Perro to Little Lake does not exceed one 
and a half miles. 

6. Consequently the fall of high water mark is over two feet between 
these points. 

The banks of the bayou are low, and composed of shells and clay. 

Proceeding up Bayou Bigolet to its junction with the Barataria, I found 
it a beautiful stream, large and unobstructed, with trembling prairie on each 
side. Through the Barataria, and thence through Bayou Villard to Lake 
Salvador, no obstructions to a free flow of water exists. The bayous are 
from four hundred to one thousand feet in width, and have depths varying 
from ten to twenty feet. 

Returning to the mouth of Bayou Perro, and tracing it to Lake Salvador, 
a distance of about fifteen miles, it is found to be very crooked and much 
embarrassed by shell bars. The distance from the mouth of Bayou Perro 
to Lake Salvador, in an air line, is about seven miles. Having thus traced 
the outlets of Lake Salvador, I shall now consider its tributaries. This 
lake is the grand reservoir of the valley. 

Bayou Barataria, from its junction with Bayou Villard to the mouth of 
Harvey's Canal, is of ample capacity, and has recently been thoroughly 
cleared of logs, stumps, and overhanging trees, by one of the State boats. 
I did not extend my examination to the upper portion of this bayou, as no 
very large section of country was interested. 

Next are the two bayous leading from Lake Cataouatchie to Lake Salvador, 
which aiford a vent for the drainage of the Northern portions of the par- 
ishes of Jefi'erson and ,St. Charles. These bayous are the Segnet and 
Couba. At present they need no improvement. 

On the western shores enter bayous Vacherie and Catahoula, which are 
small streams extending into the prairies for short distances, and of no con- 
sequence except with reference to some proposed canak. I ahall recur to 
these bayous in a subsequent portion of this report. 

The principal tributary of Lake Salvador, and the one to which my atten- 
tion was more particularly directed, is Bayou des Allemands, which enters 
at the extreme northwest. This fine stream, varying from five hundred to 
one thousand feet in width, and with an average depth of twelve feet, is the 
sole outlet for all the surplus waters of that part of the valley north of the 



89 

New Orleans, Opelousas and Great Western Railroad. Some three miles 
below the railroad it widens into what is called Little Lake des Allemands, 
where its depth does not exceed four feet, with, however, a soft mud bottom. 
I found this lake somewhat obstructed by the floating prairie sent down 
from above the bridge after the crevasse; but these obstructions do not 
seriously interfere with the escape of the water. Proceeding above the 
bridge to Lake des Allemands, the bayou retains the same general character — 
a wide, open and beautiful stream. 

Lake des Allemands forms the reservoir in which the drainage of the 
entire valley above it is concentrated previous to its escape by the bayou. 
This lake is some six miles in diameter, with an average depth of six feet, 
and is surrounded by swamps. High water mark is about eight feet above 
its present surface. I would remark, however, that all the lakes and bayous 
have been unusually low this summer. 

Numerous small bayous empty into this lake on its eastern and northern 
shores. There are also several canals extending from the plantations on the 
Mississippi Eiver. I know of no public work which it would be desirable 
to undertake upon these shores. In the southwest, however, we find two 
very important tributaries, and to these the attention of the Board should be 
especially directed. They are Bayous Chevreuil and Boeuf, Bayou Chev- 
reuil, at the time of my examination, was so low that my boat could not 
enter it. It is of service during wet seasons only. Bayou Bosuf, on the 
contrary, is a fine stream, navigable for steamboats to Lake Boeuf, with 
which it is connected by a canal constructed under the late swamp land ad- 
ministration. This canal has lowered the waters of Lake Boeuf nearly two 
feet. Lake Boeuf is the reservoir of the waters draining from the plantations 
on the Lafourche from Baceland to Thibodeaux, an outlet for which is pro- 
vided by the construction of this canal. 

Some three miles from the mouth of Bayou BcBuf enters Bayou Chigby. 
This stream is the main reliance for draining all the upper portion of the 
valley. It is connected at its head with Bayou Chevreuil, from which to 
Bayou Verret a canal was located by the late Commissioner of the Second 
Swamp Land District. This canal, intended to cut a ridge which forms a 
basin of all the lands above, would afford a sufiicient outlet, and complete 
the link now wanting in the through line of drainage. 

I have thus briefly endear ored to convey some idea of the channels 
through which the drainage o^ the valley must be conducted. It will be 
seen that I have found but two places that demand immediate attention. 
These are the ridge between Bayous Yerret and Chevreuil and the outlets 
of Lake Salvador. After noticing the canals to which my attention was 
called by the instructions of the Department, I will state what I conceive 
to be the proper means of relieving the valley of its surplus waters. I 
would again refer to the accompanying map. 

12ge ■ 



1. Verret and Chevreuil Canal. This canal, as stated above, is intended 
to cut a ridge whicli extends from the Lafourche to the Mississippi,- 
and so tap the basin above. It is a matter of the greatest importance that 
it should be completed as early as practicable. A contract is in force at the 
present time for its construction, with Wm. L. Miller, but from some cause 
nothing has been done since January last. An estimate of its cost, given 
by Greo. E. Wilson, Civil Engineer, amounts to $15,644 40. As, however, 
some work has already been done, I presume this amount should be reduced. 

2. Canal 'between Bayous Coquille and Vaclierie, marked A to B on map. 
This canal would undoubtedly be of immense advantage to the few planta- 
tions situated south of the Barataria Canal; but being of a purely local 
character, I cannot recommend such an expenditure of public money while 
work of, as I conceive, much more extended benefit remain to be accom- 
plished. 

3. Two canals from near tlie Lafourche, one leading to Bayou CataJioida 
( C to D), the other to Bayou des Amoureux (a to h). These canals would 
accomplish altogether the drainage of three or four small plantations. They 
are not such works as the State should execute, and deserve no farther 
attention from the Board of Public Works. 

4. A canal from Lake Salvador to Bayou des Amoureux, E to F on map. 
The examination of this canal necessarily opens the discussion of what 
means should be adopted to assist the escape of the waters of Lake Salvador 
into Little Lake. It was located with the intention of reducing the level of 
Lake Salvador at least two feet. The canal is 5 69-100 miles in length from 
the lake to the head of Bayou des Amoureux ; from that point to the mouth 
of the bayou at Little Lake is at least six miles, making the total distance 
from Lake Salvador to tide water about eleven and a half miles. 

The object sought to be obtained by the construction of this canal is one 
to which the attention of the Department should be especially directed, as 
should such a result be obtained as the reduction of the waters of Lake 
Salvador to the extent of two feet, a very extensive body of public lands 
(now almost valueless) would immediately be reclaimed, and the plantations 
on the river and Lafourche be almost entirely relieved. The fact that the 
drainage of all the greater part of the valley north of the railroad is open 
and unobstructed to Lake Salvador shows the importance of this work, and 
how it will affect the lands above. The question is, will this canal, if made, 
accomplish the end desired ? 

The total rise of the waters of Lake Salvador during the Bell crevasse 
was eight feet. The rise on Little Lake was five feet seven inches, showing 
a fall during high water of two feet and five inches. These were extra- 
ordinary circumstances, and I prefer to adopt the fall as given by Jos. 
Gorlinski, Civil Engineer, in his report of surveys made during low water. 
He gives a difference between the lakes of about twenty inches. This fall 



91 

IS ample, and settles the question as to whether the drainage can he cj^ected. 
I cannot, however, recommend the adoption of the line proposed by Mr. 
Gorlinski for several reasons, to-wit : 

1. Because he does not adopt the shortest line between the lakes, and so 
loses a great portion of the fall. 

2. Because he would conduct the waters through Bayou des Amoureux, 
a very crooked stream, with a bad shell bar at its mouth, which would re- 
quire expensive dredging. 

3. And lastly, because a line can be adopted which obviates all these 
difl&culties. 

I propose to construct a canal (on the blue line X Y) straight from Lake 
Salvador to Little Lake, a distance of seven and one-half miles, through an 
open prairie. This would shorten the distance at least four miles, gaining 
all the advantages of directness, ease of construction, and increase of descent. 
The grade of this canal would have a fall of three inches to the mile, and 
we should thus accomplish the end desired. 

I submit a detailed estimate of the cost of this canal, and add some re- 
marks with regard to the comparative advantages of letting such works be 
executed by contract, and having them done by boats and hands belonging 
to the State : 

ESTIMATE OP CANAL FROM LAKE SALVADOR TO LITTLE LAKE. 

Dimensions of canal 60 by 5 feet 

Length '' 39,600 " 

Contents '^ 440,000 cubic yards. 

Price per cubic yard 20 cents. 

Total cost by contract .-... $88,000 

This would be a close approximation of the cost of the work if con- 
structed by a contractor. I now propose to show that it can be done by the 
State at a great saving. I estimate for a boat built in Government style, 
with the most approved machinery : 

ESTIMATE OF OUTFIT. 

For first class dredge-boat $25,000 

For twelve slaves at $1,500 each 18,000 

Total cost of outfit , $43,000 

The dredging machinery of a boat of the size estimated for can remove 
1,000 yards per diem. It would therefore require two years to complete 
the work. 



92 

EXPENSES FOR TWO YEARS. 

Salaries of Captain and Engineer I 4,800 

Expenses of negroes 2,400 

Fuel, oil, tools, etc., 10,000 

Repairs and incidentals 5,000 

Total expenses $22,200 

Total primary cost of canal to State $ 65,200 

Which is not quite fifteen cents per cubic yard, if we consider the entire 
amount as expended ; but when we remember that there remain the boat 
and slaves, and that they could not deteriorate very materially in value in 
so short a period, it is but fair to make some deduction. Another reason 
why this boat should be constructed is, that there are no canals now pro- 
jected in the lower portion of the State that she could not make to as great 
advantage. These two canals, then, are the only works which I find to be 
much needed in the valley at present. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

P. H. THOMSON, 

Assistant Engineer. 
To Captain J. K. Duncan, Chief Engineer, Present. 

The character and strength of the levees surrounding and protecting the 
angular valley embraced between the Mississippi River and Bayou La- 
fourche, is shown in the following joint report of Messrs. Searles and Far- 
rar, Assistant Engineers. They also lay down the most insecure points in 
this cordon of levees, whereat the greatest danger is to be apprehended 
from crevasses. The necessity for completing the Verret and Chevreuil 
Canal, in order to drain the upper portion of the valley, is also made evi- 
dent in this report. The only works required' for the interior drainage of 
the Lafourche and Mississippi Valley at present, however, are those recom- 
mended in the foregoing' report of P. H. Thomson, Assistant Engineer. 

Engineer's Office, ) 
Baton Rouge, La., Dec. 31st, 1860. j 

Sir — In compliance with your instructions, dated May 31st and July 
18th, we have completed a survey of the ri^ht bank of the Mississippi 
River from the town of Donaldsonville to Fort Jackson, a distance of 153 
miles, and of the left bank of the Bayou Lafourche from Donalsonville to 
Lockport, a distance of 56 miles. 

Accompanying this report are the maps and profiles showing the topogra- 
phy of those streams, their relative position with the levees along their 
banks, and the elevation of the banks relative to the flood line of 1855, at 



98 

the initial point of the survey in Donaldsonville. We would respectfully 
urge upon the Department the necessity of adopting, hereafter, mean low tide 
in the Gulf of Mexico as the plane to which all levels should be referred. 
It is the point to which all of our drainage tends, and by using it our 
work can be connected with the hj^drographic surveys of the General Govern- 
ment. The'^reference plane heretofore adopted, (the point between the 
marble and the granite of one of the towers of the State House,) is an ar- 
bitrary standard of no practical use. Not having any opportunity of de- 
termining mean low tide, the plane adopted by us in the Lafourche survey 
was taken 100 feet below the level of the flood line of 1859, at the junction of 
the Bayou Lafourche with the Mississippi River. 

Assuming the elevation of the flood in 1859, at Donaldsonville, 

as feet 100 00 

The flood line of 1849 '' 99.57 

" '' " 1850 " 99.53 

Extreme low water of 1853. '' 72.334 

The flood of 1859 was the highest known, and the Summer stage of 1853, 
the lowest recorded. The difference between extreme high water and the 
low water of 1853, is then 27.666 feet. 

The above data were taken from records and memoranda carefully re- 
corded by Andrew Gingry, Esq., P. M. at Donaldsonville, since 1845. 

From records kept at the St. James Plantation of Mr. Lapice, parish of St. 
James, 15 6-10 miles below Donaldsonville, the elevation of the water line 

of 1859 was found to be feet97.959 

The flood line of 1849 '< 97.500 

'' " " 1850 « 97.460 

" " " 1851 '' 97.533 

Low water, Dec. 31st, 1854 ^' 72.721 

The rise and fall of the tidal wave from the Gulf of Mexico, noted at the 
above point, on the 25th November, 1854, was fifteen inches ; on the 31st 
December, same year, five inches ; same point, at 5 hours 20 min. P. M., 
July 3d, 1860, was 1.176 feet. 

Below the St. James Plantation, much dijBficulty was encountered in find- 
ing accurate records of the different floods, but the plane of descent of the 

Mississippi River at flood stage, as nearly as can be ascertained, is as 
follows : 

Tables showing the Planes of Descent of the Mississippi River and of its 

Valley, from Donaldsonville to Fort Jackson ; also Plane of Descent of 

Bayou Lafourche, from Donaldsonville to Lockport, distances and differ- 

ances of Level between certain points on those streams : 



94 

Mississippi River. 

Fall of Mississippi River from head of Bayou Lafourche 

totheDepotofN. 0.,0. &G. W.R.R 11.344 feet. 

Distance ■< 80.2 miles. 

Average fall per mile 1.69 inches. 

Fall of Mississippi River from Depot of N. 0., 0. & G. 

W. R. R. to Fort Jackson 7.741 feet. 

Distance 72.4 miles. 

Average fall per mile 1.28 inches. 

Entire fall from head of Bayou Lafourche to Fort Jack- 
son 19.085 feet. 

Distance •- 152.601 miles. 

Average fall per mile 1.05 inches. 

Fall in surface of land from head of Bayou Lafourche 

to N. 0., 0. & G. W. R. R. is 10.00 feet. 

Distance 80.2 miles. 

Average fall per mile 1.49 inches. 

Fall in surface of land from Depot of N. 0., 0. & G. W. 

R. R. to Fort Jackson 9.6 feet. 

Distance - 72.4 miles. 

Average fall per mile 158 inches. 

Entire fall in surface of land from Donaldsonville to Fort 

Jackson is 19.6 feet. 

Entire distance 152.6 miles. 

Average fall per mile 1.53 inches. 

Bayou Lafourche. 

Fall of Bayou Lafourche from Donaldsonville to Lock- 
port 10.00 feet. 

Distance 56.00 miles. 

Average fall per mile 2.14 inclres. 

Fall in surface of land from Donaldsonville to Lockport, 19.00 feet. 

Distance 56.00 miles. 

Average fall per mile 4.06 inches. 



Distances^ (Mississippi River.) 

Initial Point at Donaldsonville to Bayou Verret Ridge, 

on the plantation of A. P. Bertant <fe Bro 9.11 miles. 

To Vacherie Ridge Road 26.25 " 

ToLabat's Store 44.05 " 

To Bell Crevasse 75.68 " 

To foot of Canal street 80.32 «' 

To Cut-off Road at English Turn 85.53 *' 

To Grand Cheniere Ridge 117.63 « 

To Fort Jackson 152.60 " 

Distances, (Bayou Lafourche.) 

Donaldsonville to Paincourtville 10.3 miles. 

" '< Plautonville 12.1 " 

** " Napoleonville 15.6 " 

'( <' Labadieville 24.6 *' 



95 

Donaldsonville to Thibodeauxville 33.0 Mileg 

'' N. 0., O. & G. W. R. R 37.5 ♦' 

" *' RacelaudP. 47.6 " 

*' " Lockport 56.0 *' 

Fall of flood line of 1859 from Donaldsonville to Bayou Verret 

Ridge 1.5 feet. 

To Vacherie RidgeRoad 4.0 " 

To Labat's Store 7.0 " 

To Bell Crevasse 10.5 " 

To foot of Canal street 11.00 feet. 

To Cut-off Koad at English Turn 13.5 '' 

To Grand Cheniere Ridge 16.5 '' 

To Fort Jackson 19.1 "■ 

Fall of flood line of 1859 from Donaldsonville to Paincourt- 

ville 3.333 '' 

Donaldsonville to Plautonville 4.0 " 

'• " Napoleonville 4 9 

" ^' Labadieville 6.5 " 

'« " Tbibedeauxville 7.5 '' 

" N. O., 0. & G. W. R. R 8.0 " 

« " RacelandP. 8.8 " 

" " Lockport 10.00 " 

In the course of our survey, we located the following ridges, v/hich run 
from the Mississippi River back into the interior of the Lafourche Valle3^ 
They may be enumerated in order as the Bayou Verret Ridge, Vacherie 
Ridge, and Grand Cheniere. They are distant, respectively, from the 
Initial Point at Donaldsonville, 9.11 miles, 26.25 miles, and 117.63 
miles. The Bayou Verret Ridge commences at the Mississippi River, on 
the plantation of A. P. Bertant Bros., and extends across to Bayou La- 
fourche on the plantation of James Vinson, Esq. The Bayou Verret in- 
tersects the ridge three and a quarter miles from the Mississippi. It is 
the principal drainage channel for the scope of country included between 
the Mississippi and Bayou Lafourche, north of the ridge. It has been par- 
tially cleared of obstructions and great relief thus afforded, but heavy rains 
still flood the entire swamp, extending into the fields for a mile or so on 
either side, to a depth of from one foot to fifteen inches. Starting from the 
Mississippi River and running back at a right angle to that stream, the ridge 
falls ten feet in the first two miles. In the next mile and a quarter 
ending on the east bank of Bayou Verret, the fall is three and a half feet. 
One or two other small bayous, of which Bayou Napoleon is the most im- 
portant, intersect the ridge between the Bayou Verret and the plantatioiB 
of Bayou Lafourche ; they are all tributaries, and nltimately join the Bayou 
Verret. The bottom of Bayou Napoleon is the lowest spot upon the line, 
being seventeen feet lower than the road on the Mississippi River at the 
commencement of the cross line. The ridge between the Bayou Verret 
and the back of the plantations of Bayou Lafourche, is not elevated more 
than a foot above the general level of the swamp, and is very narrow — in 



iiiany places not more than one hundred feet wide. The distance from the 
Mississippi Siver to the edge of the woods on Bertaut & Brother's place, is 
three miles ; width of belt of woodland, from Bertaut's field to Vive's field, 
is one and seven eighths miles ; back of Vive's field to the bank of Bayou 
Lafourche, five and one-fourth miles. Total length of ridge from Missis- 
sippi River to Bayou Lafourche is ten and one-eighth miles. The crevasse 
water in 1858, from the Bell and Labranche crevasses, covered the ridge 
through the swamp to a depth of from one to two feet. 

The accompanying maps will show the scope of country along the Mis- 
sissippi River that was exempt from overflow in that year from those 
crevasses. Whenever it could be obtained, the limit of the crevasse water- 
line was noted during the survey. 

The next ridge, the Vacherie, was surveyed for a distance of three and a 
half miles from the Mississippi River bank. The fall in the first two miles 
was 13.3 feet ; in the remaining one and a half miles it is only 0.8 feet. 

The Grand Cheniere Ridge starts on the plantation of Maunsel White, 
Esq , and, following a southwestern course, terminates at Bastian Bay. It 
formed a complete protection for the plantations below it on the Mississippi, 
from the crevasses of 1858. The fall from the bank of the river to the 
head of the ridge, a distance of half a mile, is 2.3 feet. 

Observations on the locations of the levees along the river were made, 
and the caving banks were particularly noted. 

The system of levees in lower Louisiana, upon the Mississippi, is sub- 
stantially the same as under the Colonial Governments. As a general 
rule, the burden of building and keeping in repair the embankments, falls 
wholly upon the front proprietors. In consequence of the heavy outlay 
thus to be incurred by them, we find that each proprietor seeks to lessen 
the expense by building his levee with a viev/ to economy in prime cost ; 
and hence, it is rarely built more than a foot or eighteen inches above the 
flood line, with side slopes of about two to one, and a crown of from two 
to four feet. No extra precautions are deem^ed necessary in the bends, 
where the full force of the current strikes upon the levee. Their location, 
too, is generally immediately upon the river bank. In many cases, the 
water slope of the levee is only a continuation of the natural slope of the 
bank. Thus exposed, the slightest abrasion beneath the bank causes a 
sloughing of the soil, and a destructive crevasse is the consequence. No 
precautions are taken in locating new levees, to obviate salient angles, or 
to accommodate the location to the general course of the stream, with 
easy curves. 

The bank caves very rapidly at Widow Viala's place, three and a half 
miles below Donaldsonville. The same is the case at Bertaut Bro.'s, Dr. 
A. G. Wendahl's, Richard Taylor's, Widow Frilou's, Barataria Canal, Dr. 
Puisant's, (near the English Turn,) at C. Fazende's plantation, and it may 



97 

be laid down as a general rule, wherever the current strikes in a bend of 
the river. At Bonnet Carre Bend, on the left bank of the river, the bank 
is also caving ver}'^ rapidly. Already holes are dug out, near the bank, in 
depth from fifty to sixty feet. 

Similar observations were made on the Bayou Lafourche. The banks of 
the Lafourche are even, of a uniform slope, and, from the small volume of 
its waters, abrade but very little. The levees along the stream are gen- 
erally in an excellent condition. The bayou makes no very abrupt turns, 
and, as a consequence, there are no salient ang'les, causiog eddies and 
counter currents — the chief cause of the abrasion of the banks of alluvial 
streams. 

The terminal point of the line down the Bayou Lafourche was located at 
Lockport, it not being deemed necessary by us to extend our operations 
further, in order to carry out our instructions. 

The above report, together vrith the accompanying maps and profiles, is 
respectfully submitted. 

We have the honor to be , )ur obedient servants, 

JAMES M. SEARLES, 
F. H. FARRAR, Jr., 

Assistant Engineers. 

Capt. J. K, Duncan, Chief Engineer, Baton Rouge, La. 



DRAINAGE OF LAKE PEARL-PARISH OF AVOYELLES. 

Act No. 222, of 1860. — The survey for the drainage of Lake Pearl into 
Bayou des Glaises, under the provisions of the foregoing act, was made by 
W. H. Osborn, Assistant Engineer. 

The total length of the canal required is 7,000 feet, with a bottom width 
of 18 feet, requiring the excavation of 42,650 cubic yards. After due 
advertisement the contract for the same was sold at public sale, on the 
1st of November, to Messrs. A. D. Coco and J. 1>, Mayeux, the lowest 
bidders, at the rate of twenty-four and three-fourth cents per cubic yard. 
Messrs. J. D. Coco and Martin Rabalais were accepted as sureties in a bond 
for $17,000. All of the parties named belong to the parish of Avoyelles. 

The contractors are progressing with their work agreeablj^ to the speci- 
fications, which, at the contract rates, will amount to $14,820 87. 

STATEMENT OF FUNDS. 

Amount of appropriation $17,000 00 

13 CE 



98 
DRAINAGE OF RAPIDES ISLAND-PARISH OF RAPIDES. 

Ad No. 234, of 1860. — This act appropriates twenty-seven thousand 
five hundred dollars to complete the work contracted for and in progress 
for the drainage of Rapides Island, in the parish of Rapides, ordered by 
act No. 118, of 1858. The contract was made by T. P. Hotchkiss, Com- 
missioner Third Swamp Land District, with Messrs. Holt and Grogan at 
various rates per cubic yard for the several works, amounting to $39,993 40 
for the whole. 

There is great obscurity in regard to all of the works turned over by the 
Swamp Land Commissioner from this District, for lack of the maps and 
profiles upon which to base estimates, and for want of due information in 
regard to the amounts heretofore paid to the contractors. The works are 
approaching completion, however, and a statement of the amount due on 
a final settlement will be laid before the Board hereafter. 

STATEMENT OF FUNDS. 

Amount of appropriation $27,500 00 

Paid to contractors 8,154 32 



Balance in Treasury $19,345 68 



scopmrs point cut-off-parish of bossier. 

Ad No. 243, of I860.— Agreeably to the provisions of this act, a canal 
and protecting levee were staked out across Scopini's Point, at the most 
favorable location for receiving the direct discharge of Red River, so as to 
prevent the flow of too much of its waters down Tones Baj^ou, a stream 
which leads from Red River directly in the short concave bend of the loop 
cut off". Owing to tlie small appropriation made for this work ($5,000), 
together with the facf that a protecting levee was required, and that the 
length of the canal was necessarily fixed, it was impossible to give it the 
requisite width and depth necessary to insure its cutting by the action of the 
water within any reasonable period of time. Its bottom width is twentj^- 
five feet, and its depth is only about ten feet below the high water of 1859. 
At the same time I summoned a jury of six freeholders, residents of the 
parish of Bossier, in accordance with Section two of said act, to assess the 
value of the lands of N. F. Scopini and F. Lattier, through which the cut- 
off was made to pass. Their award was as follows : 



99 

State of Louisiana, Parish of Bossier : 

We, the jury of experts, summoned by the authority of the said State of 
Louisiana, to assess the value of the lands belonging to N. F. Scopini and 
F. Lattier, of the said parish, damaged by making the cut-off provided for 
by act of Legislature of said State, date, 1860, and No. 243. After being 
duly sworn to do the same, we do give it as our united opinion, that the 
lands of the said Scopini and Lattier, at said point, when said cut-off shall 
have been made, will be damaged to the amount of twenty thousand dol- 
lars (^20,000), of which we award five thousand dollars to said F. Lattier, 
for damages done to his lands, situated in Scopini's Point, and the balance 
of fifteen thousand dollars (^15,C00) to the said N. F. Scopini, for damages 
of dwelling houses, quarters and other buildings, crops and incon- 
veniences in cutting said lands. 

This done and signed this 10th da}^ of May, A. D. 1860, in the presence 
of the following witnesses: 

f HENRY McFARLAND, 

' JAMES A. PICKETT, 

J n . , M. LATTIER, 

Jury of Assessment j ^^ HODGES, 

I JAMES H. BROWN, 
Witnesses: [ R. HODGES. 

L. A. Wrotnowski, 
B. L. Lane. 

The oath administered to the jury, and their award as above, were duly 
placed upon the Judicial Record of the parish of Bossier according to law. 

Sealed proposals for the execution of the foregoing works, were invited 
by public advertisement, and a contract entered into with Wm. A. Merri- 
weather, at twenty-three and three quarter cents per cubic yard, for both 
canal excavation and levee embankment. This work has been completed 
according to the specifications and contract. 

The distance across the Point, by way of the cut-off, is 1,325 feet, in 
which distance the fall of the surface of high water is 1.40 feet, or about 
5.58 feet per mile. The velocity of the current will consequently be con- 
siderable, but from the length of time generally required b}^ all cut-ofts to 
excavate an equal section by the natural action of the water, it is not to 
be anticipated that the great body of the Red River will be discharged 
through this cut-off for some time to come. In order to have insured this 
action, and consequently the objects of the act, the canal should have been 
made much wider and deeper than the appropriation admitted of. So soon 
as the section of this canal becomes large enough to receive Red River, 
however, and even before, there will be an immediate deposition made in 
the channel of the river, just below its head and just above its mouth, and 
in the course of a few years thereafter, both of the gorges of the bend cut- 



100 

off will be entirely closed to navigation. This is the uniform result in all 
cut-offs, whether natural or artificial. 

Thus the country on the west of Red River, which now communicates 
with it through Tones Bayou, will be completely cut off from this commu- 
nication with the river. We might have arrived at this same result more 
efficiently and expeditiously, by at once closing the head of Tones Bayou 
with a dike, as the cut-off will ultimately amount to the same thing, not to 
speak of the cost arising from damages to the land through which it im- 
mediately passes, as well as the future damages to be anticipated under 
the provisions of the 6th section of the act, hereafter to be awarded upon 
the complaints of proprietors of the lands below. 

STATEMENT OF FUNDS. 

Amount of appropriation $5,000 00 

Paid contractor $4,081 43 

Surveys, inspections, etc 416 53 — 4,497 96 

Balance in the Treasury $ 502 04 



DIKING MOUTH OF BLACK BAYOU-PARISH OF OUACHITA. 

Agreeably to instructions from the Board, the necessary instrumental 
surveys were made for determining the dimensions of a dike to be con- 
structed across the mouth of Black Bayou, at its junction with Bayou de 
Sierd, as petitioned for by several of the residents of the parish of Ouachita. 
The object of this dike is to prevent tne high waters of the Ouachita River 
from backing through Bayou de Sierd, and overflowing the swamp lands 
behind through Black Bayou. A small portion of this swamp land 
belongs to the State, and considerable land will be reclaimed by the work. 

ESTIMATE OF COST. 

Length of dike, 220 feet; crown, 12 feet; slope, 3 to 1; contain- 
ing 7993.28 cubic yards, which at the vate of 25 cents per 
cubic yard, amounts to , $1,998 32 

Contingencies and surveys 201 68 

Jlequired for construction , $2,200 00 



101 
FUNDS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE FALLS OF RED RIVER. 

The following resolution was passed by the Board at its October ses- 
sion, viz ; 

Resolved, That the Chief Engineer cause to be made an examination and 
report of the condition and progress and state of the funds, hitherto ap- 
plied to the Falls in Red River, under contract authorized by the Legis- 
lature. 

In compliance with this resolution, I would respectfully submit the fol- 
lowing statement : 

An appropriation of $20,000 was made by act No. 152 of 1857, for the 
improvement of the said Falls, which act furthermore named certain gen- 
tlemen as Special Commissioners to constitute a Board for the superintend- 
ance of the work, of which Board P. J. Hickman of the parish of Rapides, 
subsequently became chairman. As I am informed by the Auditor, E. W. 
Robertson, Esq., Mr. Hickman, as chairman of the Board of Commissioners, 
drew from the Treasury the whole of the appropriation, for which he has 
since failed to account in the regular manner, basing his refusal upon the 
grounds of a claim for salary of three thousand dollars per annum. The 
matter was placed by the Auditor in the hands of Thomas C. Manning, 
Esq., of Alexandria, La., with directions to institute legal proceedings, in 
accordance with the requirements of joint resolution No. 211 of 1860. 

Accordingly, I addressed a letter to that gentleman, on the 29th of Oc- 
tober, 1860, requesting him to furnish me with the requisite information, 
and his reply thereto I submit herewith : 

Alexandria, Nov. 2d, 1860. 
Sir — Your letter of 29th ult. reached me by last mail. The claim 
against P. J. Hickman, on account of his receipt of the appropriation 
made for the work on the Falls, was sent to me by Mr. Robertson, the Au- 
ditor, last Summer, while Mr. Hickman was absent. Upon his return, he 
immediately assured me that his account should be prepared, and the bal- 
ance in his hands paid over without suit. As the term of our Court 
approached, and no account was forthcoming, I called again on Mr. Hick- 
man, with the assurance that I should not permit a term of Court to pass, 
and that this matter must therefore be settled. His account, he said, was 
not ready. To make the story short, I finally proposed to him to pay me 
such sum as he was sure would be due the State, leaving a margin for 
errors, and then to prepare his accounts by the last of November, and pay 
me the balance then, so that I could settle with the Auditor before the 
close of the year. I ought to have previously said that he proposed to 
give me a draft upon his merchants for such sum as he was now to pay, 
and asked me if I would take it payable in November. Of course he ought 
to have been ready to pay cash, op to draw at sight ; b\;t I know too well 



102 

the difficulty of settling these matters to hesitate. I accepted it, and he 
gave me his draft for |12,000, payable as above. You will perceive it is 
not yet due. He supposed that the account to be furnished me would show 
a balance of over a thousand dollars more, but a few days ago he informed 
me that he had paid me too much ; that Maillefert had a claim of $3,000, 
which he had entirely forgotten, and which would consume the balance in 
his hands and more. He wanted me to permit the draft already given 
to be cancelled, and a smaller sum substituted. I have refused, and shall 
account to the Auditor in due time therefor. At the same time I shall 
transmit to Mr. Robertson the account of Hickman, from which you can 
learn the different items of expenditure, etc. 

I have thus answered your inquiries in full, and shall be obliged to you, 
if you will show this letter to the Auditor as a reciprocal courtesy, since I 
have delayed making any official report to him until I get the account and 
the draft is paid. 

Very respectfully, etc., 

TH. C. MANNING. 

J. K. Duncan, Esq., Baton Rouge. 

The foregoing, therefore, is all the information which can be obtained 
regarding the fund in question, until Mr. Manning submits to the Auditor 
the final account and settlement referred to in his letter. 

IMPROVEMENT OF THE FALLS. 

I cannot readily see why the rocky obstructions constituting the Falls 
of Red River, were not removed by blasting or other means, as originally 
intended ; unless, indeed, that work was arrested through fears of the dan- 
gerous consequences to be apprehended from their removal, as set forth 
in the special report of Geo. W. Morse, State Engineer, of February, 
1855, in reply to a resolution of the House of Representatives. In 
regard to these Falls, Mr. Morse says : " Every impediment of this kind 
which is in Red River, stops the impetus of the water and prevents its 
running off so fast, and ,if they were all removed, all the water would soon 
run out." 

The fallacy of this argument is so transparently absurd, that it hardly 
needs refutation, and the apprehensions founded upon it are completely 
groundless and the dangers imaginary. So long as Red River is strictly 
confined within its banks, it is obvious that all the water flo\iing through 
its upper sections, must necessarily be discharged through every given sec_ 
tion below ; as its channel may then be regarded as a mere trough, with 
such an inclination as to cause the water to descend through it, with more 
or less rapidity in proportion to the degree of inclination. If we now sup- 
pose an obstruction or dam to be placed in this river, at any given point, 



103 

t is evident that it will cause the water to back up the trough Oi' channel, 
to a distance directly in proportion to the hight of the obstruction and to 
the inclination of the surface plane of the stream. That the dam cannot 
arrest the passage of the waters from above, is obvious, for the basin 
formed by the obstruction backing the water, is exactly similar to a vessel 
having equal supply and discharge pipes, so that when it is once filled up 
to the level of the discharge, all further accessioos from the supply pipe, 
must, per force, be discharged through the other, the heads or pressure 
being the same. It is the same with our river When the basin becomes 
filled with water up to the hight of the channel obstruction, all of the subse- 
quent supplies from above, neither more nor less, will be discharged over the 
dam in the same manner. If we now remove this obstruction completely, 
the back waters alone will pass off more rapidly, while the stream itself will 
assume its original levels and slope. It is evident that the whole river 
cannot run off, as this presupposes either one of two impossible things ; 
first, that the basin caused by the dam is of sufficient capacity to retain all 
of the water supplied by the stream, or, otherwise, that the obstruction is 
high enough to force the waters over the banks, which of course introduces 
ne>v elements. Neither of these cases are applicable to Red River, however, 
and hence the same amount of water which reaches the upper Fall, is dis- 
charged over the lower, and we can only regard them as obstructions to 
navigation in consequence. 

The total lift of both Falls together, is 7.75 feet, and as the average in- 
clination of the water surface of the river is given at four and one-quarter 
inches per mile, these obstructions can only back the water up the stream 
for about twenty-two miles. As this back water proportionally increases 
the depth over the bottom above the Falls, the presumption is that the 
navigation, also, has been improved for the distance of twenty-two miles, on 
the same principle that a lock increases the depth of a shallow stream. 
But it must be remembered that Red River is a sedimentary bearing 
stream, and that the check given to its current by the back water, causes 
the sediment to be deposited throughout the entire distance of the retarda- 
tion, so that it is more than probable that the Falls shoal, rather than 
deepen the waters for some twenty-two miles above them. Upon the re- 
moval of the obstructions constituting the Falls, these light alluvial deposits 
would all be washed out at once, by the increased velocity of the river 
current. 

I would therefore recommend, unhesitatingly, an immediate and com- 
plete removal of the Falls ; and if other rocky ledges exist above them, 
throughout the distance influenced by the back waters, they should also be 
removed in a like manner. By doing so, Red River will become a stream 
of easy navigation whenever there is water at all, and the chances of high- 
water overflow will be very much diminished in the upper part of the river, 
between Shreveport and Alexandria. 



104 

tf in addition to the removal of the obstructions at the Palls, the works 
heretofore recommended at the mouth of Old Biver and at the head of 
Bayou Plaquemine^ be also carried into execution, the Hed River country 
will have constant and direct intercourse with the Mississippi at all seasons, 
the high-water mark of the river will be reduced several feet, and it will 
flow quietly within its banks, requiring but very little leveeing near its 
present mouth to keep it from overflowing at any point throughout its en- 
tire course from Shreveport to its junction with the Atchafalaya. An 
appropriation of 11,000 should be made to defray the expenses of an accu- 
rate survey of these Falls, and of the bottom of the river for fifty or one 
hundred miles above them, as well as to test the character of the material 
forming the obstructions throughout, by sounding and boring. On such 
information we can base a proper estimate of the cost of the proposed im- 
provements, and determine the best method of operating. 



GENERAL APPROPRIATION. 

The appropriation required for the service of the Department under this 
head, for the fiscal year ending December 31st, 1861, is as follows: 

Salary of Commissioners and Secretary of Board of Public 

Works $10,000 00 

Salary of Chief and Assistant Engineers 11,000 00 

Salary of Draughtsman 1,800 00 

Salary of Captain of Boat* 1,200 00 

Contingent fund for surveys, salaries of rodmen, chainmen, 

traveling expenses, advertising, office contingencies, etc., 20,000 00 

Total appropriation required. $44,000 00 

The contingent fund called for above, is not extravagant, and is, in fact, 
rather within the actual wants and necessities of the Department. 

The appropriation made for contingencies for the present year (1860), for 
instance, was only $5,000, notwithstanding the fact, that twenty-four 
special surveys were ordered by the Legislature, in difi'erent parts of the 
State, and that sixteen works had to be inspected quarterly; besides the 
traveling expenses of the Board, the expenses of the surveys and examina- 
tions ordered by the same, the advertisement of new contracts, stationery, 
drawing materials and instruments, surveying instruments, and general con- 
tingent and office expenditures, all of which had to be drawn out of this 
small appropriation, which was inadequate to meet them. 

* Should the Internal Improvement Department be re-organized upon the basis heretofore recommended, 
an additional sum of $1,200 must be appropriated, as the salary of the Captain of each new boat put 
in commission. 



105 

No work should be ordered by the Legislature without an accurate instru- 
mental survey of the same being previously made, to determine its propriety, 
its cost, and the best method of executing it. The Department is unable to 
make such surveys, unless it is furnished with the requisite means to pay 
for the employees required, their traveling expenses and maintenance, as 
the Engineers cannot be expected to advance the amount out of their pri- 
vate resources, and a\#it reimbursement, upon sworn vouchers, until the 
next quarterly meeting of the Board. Even if this could be done, it im- 
plies a special appropriation to defray the expenses of each special work 
ordered ; and no foresight, on the part of the Legislature, can anticipate one- 
half of the surveys and examinations required, under a vigorous administra- 
tion of the Board for the good of the whole State. 

Without such a general contingent fund, furthermore, the Board is 
powerless to perform the duties required of it by law, under Sections 15 and 
17, of act No. 279, of 1859, establishing the Board of Public Works. 

Section 15. Requires the. Board "to form and adopt a general system of 
internal improvement, leveeing, draining, and reclaiming swamp or over- 
flowed land from inundation, which is now possessed by the State, together 
with their present value and their probable value after leveeing, draining, 
and reclaiming are completed j also, the effect any work may have upon the 
land owned by individuals, and report them fully to the General Assembly 
on or before the first Monday of each session, together with accurate maps 
of the same." 

Section 17. Requires the Board "to lay down such plans for their 
operations as best to enable them to ascertain the most effectual and safe 
method of conducting the floods of the Mississippi River to the Grulf of 
Mexico. They shall examine all natural outlets of the river, and ascertain 
their effect upon the swamp or overflowed land owned by citizens or the 
State ; their capacity for navigation j also, what improvements can be made 
to facilitate transit, commerce, or navigation, with careful estimate of the 
expense of the same. They shall also ascertain if any natural outlet of the 
Mississippi can be closed without endangering levees already made, or to be 
made; and recommend to the Legislature all important works and levees for 
protecting State lands from overflow." 

A portion of these prescribed duties the Board has been able to accom- 
plish, even with the limited means placed at its disposal, as two of the main 
natural outlets of the Mississippi — the Plaquemine and Old River — can be 
closed with propriety, and the effects of such closing, both upon the Missis- 
sippi levees, and upon the reclamation of public and private lands, has been 
fully shown heretofore in this report. Plans for the drainage of the La- 
fourche and Terrebonne Valleys, the parish of Catahoula, the Red River 
country, and other sections, have also been laid down, together with a sys- 
tem of internal improvements, 

14 C B 



106 

A sreat deal still remains to be done, however, and the means for accom- 
plishing it fshould be placed at once at the disposal of the Board, and so 
appropriated that it can be drawn quarterly in advance, in order to facilitate 
the working of the ordinary current transactions of the Department. 

A careful survey of all the streams of the State, and an examination of 
the drainage requirements of the lakes and swamp lands bordering upon 
them, together with the works before referred to, will enable the Board to 
develop and lay down, intelligently, a well-digested plan of general improve- 
ment, drainage, and reclamation. The contingent fund called for, together 
with the survey boat recommended in the report upon internal improve- 
ments, will suffice for this, without which, special surveys alone can be 
made hereafter, out of the means provided for each case by special legis- 
lation. 



GENERAL REMARKS. 

The foregoing report embraces all of the principal transactions of the De- 
partment for the current year, which are of any public interest : to which I 
will only add the following synopsis of the appropriations required for the 
execution of the several works, based upon the surveys called for under 
special acts of the Legislature, or under orders from the Board of Public 
Works : 

1. Internal Improvement Department $229,500 00 

2. Plaquemine Lock and closing Old River 500,000 00 

3. Diking head of Bayou Cowhead, etc 5,900 00 

4. Cat Island Levees 47,330 74 

5. Drainage in the parish of Vermillion , 3,700 00 

6. Harrisonburg Levee 168,300 00 

7. Cleaning and deepening Bayou Saline 33,000 00 

8. Cleaning Bayou Conway 4,500 00 

9. Bayous Coolie and Bonne-idee 119,687 56 

10. Closing heads of Hurricane Bayou, etc 4,200 00 

11. Drainage of Terrebonne Valley 53,000 00 

12. Drainage of Lafourche Valley 105,619 80 

13. Diking Black Bayou 2,200 00 

14. Survey of Falls of Bed River 1,000 00 

15. Contingent Appropriation for Surveys, etc 20,000 00 

I cannot, professionally, recommend the execution of all of the foregoing- 
works, my reasons for which, are given in detail in the special reports upon 
each work respectively. 

Those which I consider of the highest importance, and productive of the 
greatest general good, are the three following, for which appropriations 
should be made immediately, even if all the others have to go by default for 
the present, viz. : 



I 



107 

First. Closing Old River and canalling and locking Bayou Plaquemine, 
for the reason that these works materially simplify the problem for the com- 
plete drainage and reclamation of a large portion of the State, and furnish 
the key to the subsequent drainage of the whole. Besides, fully two-thirds 
of the State are dependent upon their construction, for a free navigable 
water communication with the Mississippi and the New Orleans Markets. 

Second. Re-organization of the Internal Improvement Department, be- 
cause, constant work is required upon all the streams of the State to improve 
their navigation and to facilitate their drainage capacity; and no system of 
drainage and reclamation can ever approach perfection, without beginning at 
the outlets, and thence opening out all of the main drainage arteries. 

Third. General Contingent Fund, with the view of developing a complete 
general plan of operations for all the public works of the State, so that we 
can refer every partial work, which may be made hereafter, to this general 
plan, and so regulate and adjust it, as to make it meet all subsequent re- 
quirements of the whole, and conflict with no other interest. 

These works, alone, will give constant and diligent employment to the 
Board and its corps of Engineers for the coming year, while many other 
works, lying west of the Mississippi, and now imperatively demanded by the 
necessities of the case, will be found to be totally unnecessary when the fore- 
going shall have been fully completed. 
I am, gentlemen, 

Very respectfully, your ob't serv't, 

J. K. DUNCAN, Chief Engineer, 



y 



108 



INDEX. 



ANNUAL EEPORT OF J. K. DUNCAN, Chief Engineer. 



)RDER. 


No. 1. 


'• 2. 


'• 3. 


'• 4. 


" 5. 


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'< 34. 



DESIGNATION. 



Internal Improvement Department 

Improvement of Old River 

Rigolet's and St. Dennis' Canal 

Railroad Maps 

Teche Lock, St. Martinsville 

Coushatta Chute 

Red River Levees, right bank 

Bonnet Carre Levee.. 

Tide-Water Levee 

Survey of Castor and Dugdemona 

Cowhead and Muscle Bayous 

Cat Island Levees 

Surveys in Vermillion jjarish 

Arkansas and Louisiana Levee 

Grand Marais 

Harrisonburg Levee 

Bayou Saline 

Survey of Bayou Conway 

Survey of the Coolie and Bonne idee. 

Survey of Hurricane, Red Mouth, etc 

Drainage of Lake Sardine 

Bonnet Carre Point Levee 

Sabine River. 

Cut-otf and Island Bayou Levees 

Swamp Lands in Terrebonne 

Bayou Pierre 

Swamp Lands in Lafourche 

Drainage of Lake Pearl.., 

Rapides Island '. 

Scopini's Cut-off. 

Diking Black Bayou 

Funds for Improvement of Falls of Red River 

General Appropriation 

General Remarks 



3 
17 
53 
54 
54 
57 
58 
59 
60 
61 
62 
65 
67 
68 
69 
70 
73 
74 
75 
79 
81 
82 
83 
83 
84 
90 
90 
97 
98 
98 
100 
101 
104 
106 



NO. OF ACT. 



Act No. 245 of 1860. 

Acts Nos. 262 of 1859, 29 and 30 of 1860. 

Act No. 63 of 1859. 

Act No. 106 of 1859. 

.\ct No. 123 of 1859. 

Act No. 149 of 1859. 

Act No. 192 of 1859. 

Act No. 203 of 1859. 

Act No. 204 of 1859. 

Act No. 22 of 1860. 

ActNo. 23ofl860. 

Act No. 32 of 1860. 

Act No. 35 of 1860. 

xictNo. 48ofl860. 

ActNo. 52 of 1860. 

Act No. 75 of 1860. 

ActNo. 181 of 1859. 

Act No. 79 of 1860. 

Act No. 104 of 1860. 

Act No. 132 of 1860. 

ActNo.l59^ofl860. 

ActNo. 174 of 1860. 

ActNo. 203 of 1860. 

ActNo. 204 of 1860. 

Acts Nos. 212 of 1860, and 185 of 1859. 

Act No. 214 of 1860. 

Acts Nos. 215 of 1860, and 150 of 1859. 

Act No. 222 of li'60. 

Act No. 234 of 1800. 

Act No. 243 of 1860. 

Act No. 152 of 1857. 



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